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title: TNM working with Meta to fight WhatsApp fraud spree in Malawi - Developing Telecoms
description: Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) said on Wednesday that it has received reports from customers that their WhatsApp accounts have been hacked by fraudsters, and is working with Meta to resolve the issue.
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date: 2026-10-22T04:26:49Z
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Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) said on Wednesday that it has received reports from customers that their WhatsApp accounts have been hacked by fraudsters, and is working with Meta to resolve the issue.

“TNM is aware of customer reports about WhatsApp accounts being compromised. TNM has engaged Meta, the operators of WhatsApp,” the telco said in posts on LinkedIn and Facebook.

TNM didn’t clarify whether the hacks have compromised any of its own systems, or are limited specifically to WhatsApp. Several media reports have claimed that only TNM have been affected, although this has not been verified.

TNM advised customers to take steps to protect their accounts, such as enabling two-step verification, never sharing verification codes or PINs, avoiding suspicious links or responding to unknown messages, and checking their connected devices regularly.

However, according to news site Malawi24, at least one user has posted on Facebook that they lost access to their WhatsApp Business account despite having two-step verification enabled and linking the account to their email address.

TNM said that Meta is “currently working on finding the solution for the problem, which has affected several countries,” although it didn’t specify what other countries have been affected.

DW Africa reported on Wednesday that WhatsApp users in Zimbabwe have reported being locked out of their WhatsApp account while someone else is using it. A report from BusinessTech last week said similar cases are increasing in South Africa.

WhatsApps fraud has been an issue in Malawi for some time. Last month, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) issued a warning that fraudsters are increasingly using fake mobile money messages, hacked WhatsApp accounts, urgent requests for money and fake competition prizes to trick people into sending money or sharing personal information.

MACRA advised the public to verify messages before sending money, confirm suspicious requests directly with the person concerned, and check their mobile money accounts before returning any money.

MACRA also noted that genuine social cash transfer programmes don’t ask beneficiaries to send money through SMS or WhatsApp messages.

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