Mobile Money & Social Engineering in Cameroon: Understanding Cyber Threats and Protection Strategies

• 29 Apr, 2026 - 29 Apr, 2026
• 29 Apr, 2026
• Cameroon, Bamenda

Event Description

What if Mobile Money’s greatest strength is also its greatest vulnerability?

As part of a seminar organized by the Centre for Cybersecurity and Mathematical Cryptology at the University Of Bamenda, Dr. Carlson Eyongabi Ngwa delivered a compelling presentation on Mobile Money and Social Engineering in Cameroon.

Mobile Money has transformed financial access across Africa, addressing key challenges such as financial exclusion and limited banking infrastructure. Today, it accounts for up to 96% of transactions in the CEMAC region a clear sign of its impact. But beyond this success lies a critical concern, Dr. Carlson Eyongabi Ngwa highlighted the same features that make Mobile Money accessible USSD, SMS, and agent networks also introduce structural vulnerabilities. However, the most significant threat is no longer purely technical,it is human.

Through real-life examples, the presentation showed how social engineering attacks exploit trust, urgency, and fear. A simple phone call or message can lead users to unknowingly authorize fraudulent transactions without any system being hacked.

This raises an important question:
Is security only about technology or also about user awareness?

Key takeaway:
👉Never share your PIN or OTP
👉Always verify through official channels
👉Do not act under pressure
👉 Government shall make sure that each real user is clearly identified to a single sim card

Mobile Money is a powerful tool for inclusion. But as emphasized during the seminar, digital transformation must go hand in hand with user education. Because today, the weakest link is often the human factor.

What do you think?
Is awareness evolving fast enough to keep up with adoption?

A special note of appreciation to Dr Carlson Eyongabi Ngwa, SwissLink Higher Institute of Business & Technology - Kumba & Douala