Emtel Warns Mauritius Customers of Rising Scam Call Surge
Emtel has issued a public alert urging its subscribers not to answer, call back or share personal data with unknown or suspicious numbers.
Mauritius-based mobile operator Emtel issued a public warning on 6 November 2026, alerting its subscribers to a rise in fraudulent telephone calls targeting people across the island.
In an official statement, Emtel urged customers to stay vigilant and to treat any call from an unknown or suspicious number with extreme caution. The company specifically warned against three behaviours: answering calls from numbers that look unusual or unfamiliar, calling those numbers back, and sharing any personal or financial information with unknown callers.
Scam calls often follow a recognisable pattern. Fraudsters may impersonate bank staff, government officials, telecom operators or prize administrators to pressure a target into revealing account numbers, PINs, passwords or identity documents. In some cases, simply calling back a suspicious number can trigger a premium-rate charge, leaving the victim with an unexpected phone bill.
Emtel reminded its subscribers that no legitimate operator, bank or government body will ever request confidential information over an unsolicited phone call. The advice applies equally to SMS messages that contain links or ask recipients to confirm personal details.
This warning comes at a time when cybercrime in Mauritius is rising sharply. The country recorded 5,754 cybercrime incidents in 2025, a figure that covers online fraud, phishing and other digital offences reported to local authorities. Phone-based scams are a significant part of that landscape, targeting both individuals and businesses.
What this means for Emtel subscribers and the wider public: if your phone rings from a number you do not recognise, particularly one with an unusual prefix or country code, the safest course of action is to let it ring out. Do not call it back. If you receive a voicemail or message asking for personal details, treat it as suspicious and report it to Emtel or to the Mauritius Police Force. Never confirm your name, address, national identity number, bank account or card details over the phone unless you have initiated the call yourself to a verified number.
Anyone who believes they have already been targeted by a phone scam should contact their bank immediately if financial information was shared, change relevant passwords, and file a report with the authorities.
Source: ION News
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I receive a suspicious call in Mauritius?β
Emtel advises that you do not answer calls from unknown or suspicious numbers, do not call them back, and never share personal or banking information. You can report suspicious numbers to Emtel directly or to the Mauritius Police Force.
How common is phone and cybercrime in Mauritius?β
Mauritius recorded 5,754 cybercrime incidents in 2025, according to local authorities. Phone-based fraud, including scam calls and phishing messages, forms a significant portion of these cases.
Will Emtel or my bank ever call me and ask for my PIN or password?β
No. Emtel and legitimate banks in Mauritius will never ask for your PIN, password, national identity number or full card details during an unsolicited phone call. Any such request should be treated as a scam attempt.
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