NCC Launches Anti-Scam Platform to Combat Financial Fraud

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced that its Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) will become operational in October, aimed at combating financial fraud and identity theft involving mobile numbers. This digital platform is designed to assist banks, telecommunications companies, and other service providers in identifying suspicious mobile numbers before fraudulent transactions occur.

The NCC confirmed this development in a communiqué following its 110th board meeting on September 9. TIRMS will track telephone numbers, identify high-risk Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, and provide real-time verification of subscriber information.

It will flag numbers that are recycled, swapped, abandoned, or barred, helping financial institutions determine if a mobile number still belongs to its original owner. The NCC emphasized the importance of compliance with privacy and data protection laws while deploying TIRMS, ensuring consumer protection and the integrity of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.