MTN Ghana is annoying a lot of their subscribers with the persistent text messages from 2010, yours truly included. All a subscriber has to do is text “Go” to the number 2010 and he/she is then burdened with the misfortune of being bombarded with text messages morning, afternoon and evening entreating him/her to keep texting to improve chances of winning. Note that each text to the premium phone number costs 50 Ghana Pesewas (about 33 US Cents).
This is part of a current promotion by MTN Ghana where they are offering several prices including: 4×4 Kia Sorento cars, FIFA VIP packages, DSTV mobile service enabled handsets, 3.5G MTN modems, free airtime vouchers, GHc 3,000 daily prices among others.
Aside complaints from friends, I have seen other complaints online with through a Facebook group and another blog post.
Some of the text messages from 2010 read:
MTN: Tonight is SUPERPLAY time. Win TRIPLE reward points by replying to this message anytime between 5pm and 6pm. You’ve earned it! Text in TRIPLE to 2010 now
MTN: Good news DAVID, it’s Happy Hour. Reply DOUBLE to this message anytime between 10am and 11am today and we’ll give you double reward points.
MTN: DAVID, ONE PRIZE TONIGHT, for one winner. 3,000 GHC. Be the one. Reply ONE.
When I stopped replying since I wasn’t winning, 😉 one of the messages I received today read:
MTN: You stopped playing. We’re sad. Your old score’s on hold. Add 100 new chances to win every time you reply RETURN. Many prizes left. Reply RETURN
It is bad enough that the messages entreating one to blow one’s money are so aggressive but receiving so many of them every day borders on harassment, and by extension, spamming. Where are the regulators when you need them?
Do you have similar concerns? Share them here and now, in the comments section.
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