Have you ever heard of Wangiri scams? Across Malawi, a common complaint is heard in homes, markets, buses, and offices: “Ndayika airtime koma yatha mwachangu”—I loaded airtime, but it vanished too quickly.
Many mobile phone users insist they did not make long calls or use mobile data, yet their credit vanishes within hours.
While network challenges and background applications may sometimes be responsible, a growing number of these cases are linked to a phone scam known as Wangiri.
Wangiri is a Japanese word meaning ‘one ring and cut’.
It refers to a scam in which fraudsters place very short calls—often just one ring—from unfamiliar or international numbers, then hang up immediately.
The intention is to create curiosity or concern, prompting the recipient to call back. Once the victim returns the call, they are connected to a premium-rate number that charges very high fees per minute, quickly draining prepaid airtime.
In Malawi, the Wangiri scam is becoming more noticeable as mobile phone usage continues to grow.
With millions of people now relying on mobile phones for communication, business and mobile money services, fraudsters see an opportunity.
Many users report missing calls from unfamiliar foreign numbers, often at unusual times, such as late at night or early in the morning, or on weekends.
When these calls are returned, airtime can be consumed in seconds, sometimes without the caller even speaking to a real person.
What makes Wangiri particularly dangerous is that it appears harmless.
Some of the numbers resemble local or regional codes and the rise of call centres using mobile numbers. This makes it difficult for users to identify them as international or premium-rate lines immediately.
In other cases, automated voice systems keep the call active, silently running up charges. By the time the user hangs up, their airtime is already gone.
The impact of this scam is significant, especially in a country where most mobile users depend on prepaid services.
Most Malawians do not buy airtime for casual conversations, but for contacting family members, coordinating farming and business activities, accessing emergency services and receiving mobile money alerts.
Losing airtime to scams, therefore, affects livelihoods, not just convenience.
Frustration often follows when users try to understand what happened.
Airtime deductions are not always easy to trace and some users may assume the problem is network-related or due to hidden charges.
Without clear information, Wangiri scams can go unreported, allowing fraudsters to continue targeting more victims.
There are clear warning signs that mobile users should watch out for. Missed calls from unknown international numbers, calls that ring only once or twice and repeated missed calls from similar unfamiliar numbers are all red flags.
If you do not recognise the number, the safest action is simple: do not call back.
Mobile users should also regularly monitor their airtime usage and seek clarification from their mobile network operators if deductions seem suspicious.
Reporting such incidents helps operators and regulators identify scam patterns and protect other subscribers.
However, responsibility does not only rest with consumers. Mobile network operators and regulators have a critical role.
Improved screening and blocking of suspicious international traffic, clearer breakdowns of airtime charges and timely warning messages to subscribers can significantly reduce the impact of Wangiri scams.
Public awareness campaigns through radio, newspapers and SMS alerts would help reach users in both urban and rural areas.
As Malawi continues to embrace digital connectivity, the rise of scams like Wangiri highlights the need for stronger consumer protection in the telecommunications sector.
A single missed call may seem harmless, but in today’s connected world, it can be the gateway to financial loss.
The message to phone users is simple: Be cautious. Be informed. Never return a missed call from an unknown number. – Wilson Baxter Upindi
