Times Of Swaziland: THREE MTN EMPLOYEES  SUSPENDED FOR AIRTIME ‘FRAUD’

THREE MTN EMPLOYEES  SUSPENDED FOR AIRTIME ‘FRAUD’
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  BY DUMISANI NTIWANE on 19/03/2014 04:22:00


MBABANE – Swazi MTN has suspended three staff members over possible airtime
fraud. The mobile phone company is believed to be currently carrying out
investigations into the alleged fraud which involves airtime vouchers. Airtime
is the company’s core business.
However, the company refused to disclose further information citing the pending
investigation.
MTN Corporate Affairs Manager Mpumelelo Makhubu confirmed the alleged fraud and
suspension of the three employees.
The amount of money involved in the alleged fraud has not been revealed as yet.
The mobile phone company yesterday issued a statement confirming that it was
investigating possible airtime fraud whose amount cannot be revealed for now
pending the finalisation of investigations.
“To date, MTN has conducted extensive internal investigations into the alleged
fraud which involves physical airtime vouchers. The theft of airtime is a high
risk area for all mobile operators since airtime is their core commodity. As
such, cellphone companies deal a lot with such fraud as part of their business
operations.
“MTN is still collating all the evidence to ascertain the actual revenue
impact and take appropriate action,” explained Makhubu.
In 2011, six individuals including two SA MTN staff members were arrested in
South Africa for defrauding the company airtime worth millions of Rands in a
similar incident.