A Facebook post circulating in Uganda is warning users about possible phone hacking. It claims that dialling “*#61#” can reveal the hacker's number, while dialling “##002#” will “knock the hacker off permanently”.

The message has been attributed to the Ugandan police.  

It reads: “ATTENTION PLEASE If your Phone/Line has been hacked, quickly dial *#61# the number that appears on your phone is the number that hacked your Phone/Line. Then dial ##002# to knock the hacker off permanently. Please send to others for Safety & Protection of our Phones/Mobile Lines.”

Hacking and cybercrime are becoming increasingly common in Uganda. Reports indicate that online fraud, including bank fraud and identity theft, has risen sharply in recent years. For example, Interpol noted that approximately USh14 billion (about US$4 million) was lost to cybercriminals in one year, with banks being frequent targets of hackers.

The Uganda Police Force has acknowledged the rise in cybercrime and has launched efforts to improve cybersecurity, particularly in the financial sector. However, many cases go unreported as financial institutions tend to hide breaches to avoid alarming their customers.

This highlights the need for increased awareness and robust security measures in Uganda. Africa Check