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Cell Phone review: Calls from Somalia 55

T
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12:00 am EST
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For the past week my boyfriend has been receiving unwanted calls from the # [protected]. We traced the # to somalia.

The phone rings and sometimes you can hear someone and sometimes they just hang up. If you try to call it back, it just rings and hangs up. Yesterday he received 40 calls, during all times of the day and night.

We have t - mobile and they won't do anything. The police won't do anything. The only option is to change the number and he doesn't want to do that as he has had this number for 8 years. Can anything else be done?

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55 comments
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spir
, US
Apr 04, 2018 9:03 pm EDT

In Canada, got calls from 252-[protected] and [protected]. Started all of a sudden last week.

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Sue Keeble
, US
Apr 03, 2018 2:37 pm EDT

IM from Canada and have been getting calls from Somalia on a daily basis...i block each number but get calls from different numbers all day long.

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Saalim Isxaaq Saalim
, US
May 17, 2017 7:08 am EDT

Isaac,
I think ther r two reasons:
Some they make that as a fun
But most of them their relatives told them a false number to resist from calling them and asking some money, so forexample the father calls this false nuber thinking that it is his doughter's number, when he hears another one he thinks that his doughter is at the work then he calls again and agin saying who r u, hoping to get his doughter who is behind this terrible action

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Stefan Horvath
, US
Jun 17, 2016 12:49 pm EDT

2016 ... still getting somalian phone calls . Slovacia and Slovenia too !
Wadafac, the call for 5-6 seconds and hang up themselves . . . kids ?

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Robin Boek
, US
Feb 21, 2016 5:04 am EST

Got a call from [protected] first time. computer lady voice told me that my package was ready at the pickup point and that I had to enter a code. This is enough for me to know to hang up. This call took place on the 21st of February in the Netherlands around mid-day

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ec6403g
, US
Feb 12, 2016 1:46 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Just got a call from +[protected] traced to Somalia. Couldn't bother to answer.

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Jeff hulderman
Clinton, AU
Feb 09, 2015 6:19 am EST

I live in Australia and exact same thing. So much for privacy. I'm a computer tech so I have no worries tracing these ### down. Getting something done in a different country will be difficult though. I'll keep everyone updated as I find out more.

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iaeon
, US
Oct 18, 2014 5:40 am EDT

I am trying to find out why as well and found this post. I went to contacts, there you should have " blocked contacts " open that, click add block contact by number and put in the number ( +[protected] ) it is a way to stop the calls. I got one last week at 4 Am but then 5 in a row this morning at 5 am...

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nettier
Stockton, US
Sep 28, 2014 12:40 pm EDT

They Called 9 times between 2am and 8am today (I am in California USA). Tried to call it back but oh... I can't make calls to samalia. Why not? Because i do not do business in samalia. get calls blacklist app (android maybe iphone). BLOCK that number!

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shreyas padaki
, IN
May 01, 2012 10:21 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

a silver colour nokia x2 mobile phone has been lost its number is [protected] name-rekha padaki

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AMMANANNA
, IN
Oct 07, 2010 3:58 am EDT

MYCELL PHONE WAS LOSS...[protected]

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rohit_mahajan818
, IN
Jul 10, 2010 6:11 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

i will register my mobile number [protected] to do not distrub but still sms coming to me

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dustin rheinscheld
Seymour, US
Aug 08, 2009 8:07 pm EDT

please stop charging my account for this thank you

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Tomi Koo
, FI
Nov 09, 2013 3:28 am EST

I live in Finland, and my wife received 3 times a call from Somalia +[protected], I answered last 2 times and there was some kid saying "Hello hello hello", the quality of the audio was very poor. ###ing weird because my wife's number is secret

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SteveAngelli
, GB
Nov 04, 2013 3:13 pm EST

I live in the UK and have had the same problem for about 2 years now. Absolutely annoying with their persistent calls using different numbers everyday.
I am an Android user and use a call blocking app to block all numbers starting with "+252" - sends ALL these cheeky b*stards straight to voicemail.
However, they have started texting me jibberish, one of the most recent one reads "from mogadishu somalia my name xoogsade abdi ahmed dhalinyarda booliska kenya ay ku eedaynaya west gate waxaa lagu dajinaya dadka kenyanka ah kuwaas ka walaacsan weeraro kale kayimaafa dhanka al shabab waaye ragii ka dagalamy west gatear hore ayay baxsadeen sidaas ayay ila tahay"
... absolute rubbish.

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shahkhanx2
, PK
Apr 25, 2013 5:56 am EDT

i have lost my cell phone last night

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Aliyah
,
Oct 06, 2008 10:05 am EDT

I see something on my Sprint bill about CSW Ringers and I have never even dealt with you all. I need to speak with someone that will assist me in removing this charge from my phone bill. I have never used this service and don't plan to. Someone needs to contact me! If not its no problem at all, I will find you all.!

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Davies_sally
Bristol, GB
Jul 14, 2013 1:40 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have been having the same problem with my mobile for 2 and a half years now! first few times i answered to tell them to stop calling, they would say hello, or just hang up, he sounded about 15? I used to get up to 20 calls a day, at all times of day, also from different numbers, then they will not call for a few weeks or even a few months then from out of the blue just start calling again, i have not answered any calls for at least 2 years, i just find the whole situation strange, but i've had the same number for 10years so dont want to change my number, guess will just have to put up with it.

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Purnimashah
, IN
Jun 29, 2013 1:19 am EDT

Since month or so I am getting regular calls from some different numbers starting with +252. Some of the numbers are +[protected] +[protected] +[protected] +[protected] +[protected] +[protected] and so on... These call come at all time early morning, during day, late night etc... One day few days back I had recalled one of this number and then I was charged 50rs in my bill... I don't know what to do...

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Paul.vandale
, BE
Jun 10, 2013 1:12 pm EDT

I have got the same issues with numbers from the number +[protected]. They call me all day long. I have picked up my phone the first few times and i could hear someone breathing but then he/she hung up. Now i don't answer at all and keep getting a lot of calls. I live in Belgium and I have no idea how they could get my number.

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Sshaw27
, CA
Jun 07, 2013 9:37 pm EDT

Same thing, I'm in Canada, it's been 2 days and I've gotten about 40 calls day and night, I have picked up a few times and told then to stop calling but they continue.and if virgin charges me ill yell at them and tell them to take the charges off. I too can't block the number so I'm gonna have to change mine. Such a piss off!

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Lizzy1965
St. Louis Park, US
Oct 07, 2012 9:17 am EDT

I am having the same problem. I have T-Mobile, and I live in Mpls, MN. The number calling me is [protected]. No matter what I do, they keep calling and T-Mobile was no help. I gave that number a specific ringtone so at least I know now when I don't have to look to see who's calling. Also, to the people that have called them back -- Don't do that! That's probably what they want and you will be charged!

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Doctor Snuggles
, US
Dec 30, 2011 8:03 pm EST

Since, I've installed iBlacklist on my iPhone ( check my comments above) I have not been bothered by the Somalis. I've recently checked my iBlacklist history and they have been trying to call me several times, but since I've adjusted iBlacklist for that number to get a busy signal each time they try to call me, I assume, they believe my phone has been disconnected and for about 3 weeks now, there is no attempt to call my number from the blacklisted Somali number. So seem to work out for me. Another problem occured though yesterday. Got a call from Portland Oregon number 503.201.7030 with an automated computerized voice claiming, that I've won a cruise to the Bahamas. Hung instantly up and put the number on iBlacklist. Googled it and that is another scam or better phishing attempt to get personal details ... but this is another threat.

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uberrob
San Francisco, US
Dec 28, 2011 5:51 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I just read Egal's post up above about Somalia's using VoIP routing and getting incorrect numbers.that actually makes a lot of sense.

Btw, I posted a blog article about my experiences here:

http://uberrob.tumblr.com/post/14896876464/apparently-the-entire-country-of-somalia-is-crank

I included MP3s of several of the calls. Have a listen and see if the voices sound familiar.

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uberrob
San Francisco, US
Dec 27, 2011 8:36 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

This has been going on with me for about a year now. I have an android phone and have been dealing with it by loading Extreme Call Blocker. However, whoever is calling just keeps changing their number and getting through the block. (I've recently been using the new ECB feature of auto-answering with a high pitched squeal just for s**ts and giggles. ;)

When I let some leave a voice mail, the voice is:
- in Somali or Arabic
- male
- often frantic and/or pissed off (see my "auto-answering with squeal" above
- the same person every time. For a year. From different numbers.
- I hear children in the background

On a few occasions I have tried to call, 90% of the time it has resulted in continual ringing with no answer. On the 10% where someone answered, or if I answered the phone myself, the man on the other end of the line got increasingly agitated that I didn't speak the language, and started to scream at me louder in Samali or Arabic. (Kinda like American tourists in, say, France :) )

While these were amusing calls in the beginning, the fact that they are increasing in frequency, the numbers are changing, AND its the same person has started to get me more and more concerned...

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Doctor Snuggles
, US
Nov 29, 2011 3:12 pm EST

Here a helpful link: http://techpp.com/2010/07/10/how-to-block-phone-number-free/
As I do have an iPhone jailbroken & unlocked with Cydia, I went ahead and installed iBlacklist (optionalwise Mcleaner). You may get Blacklist from iTunes. For all other smartphones read the link provided. It'll give you the right App to install on your phone. iBlacklist worked for me out well. Adjusted it, so that the Somalia guy is getting a busy signal each time he/she tries to call me. Ever since, peace and quietness for me!

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Doctor Snuggles
, US
Nov 26, 2011 7:40 pm EST

Just started here in Chicago/USA, too. Phone calls all over the Thanksgiving weekend from the same +252 number. Used Skype to call the number +[protected] back. Cost me US$ 0.80 for 39 seconds, which is for Skype very expensive, considering that landline numbers over Skype usually cost US$ 0.02 per minute to most countries around the world. Was recently in London/UK on business and am familiar with those Nigarian Paypal scams over gumtree.com (which is our US craigslist). Starting not to feel so sorry for those people in those 3rd world countries.

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Rocket Captain
, IN
Oct 04, 2011 4:12 pm EDT

It's started here too. In India. Random calls from Somalia. And now from Sierras Leone too. I don't answer them and keep my phone on silent at nights.

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Egal
, US
Sep 27, 2011 6:04 am EDT

heyy guys im from somalia, the same problem happened to me. i tried to call one of my friends in WAshington state..and every time i call him a lady in somalia answers it. i was like what is going on, and kept saying she is in somalia. i started researching about the problem. i finally noticed that somali business people uses VOIP numbers, which belongs to USA. VOIP has call forwarding, and since the VOIP belongs to US companies it is possible to forward calls to US numbers without them getting your number. they think they are calling local somali number but are not..and that is caused by some technical problems VOIP (voice Over the Internet Protocol).

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L53
, GB
Apr 28, 2011 11:57 pm EDT

To add my case to the basket, I have started receiving Somalia originating calls since yesterday. The number is +[protected]. First time I answered a woman was talking in an incomprehensible language and distressed tone. I answered "I dont understand" and hung up. They kept on calling since. I cant understand why or what they expect to gain. My phone credit remains unaffected. If this is call re-routing as an earlier comment suggested it didnt seem to cost me anything, so what is it? Could it simply be intimidation? or just pranks?

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bob888
London, GB
Feb 01, 2011 6:51 pm EST

Same thing is happening to me in England. I keep getting calls from the Somali number [protected], I thought they had stopped a week ago, then they tried again 3 or 4 times earlier today. I've answered a couple of times and it's just silent for a few seconds then they hang up - I think once I could vaguely hear a woman trying to say something but I can't be sure. I used to be on T-Mobile, then I swapped to Orange but retained the number I had whilst on T-Mobile. I might try and give Orange a ring and see what they say...

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ahmedhaye
cambridge mass, US
Jan 14, 2011 6:19 am EST

Boston mass
They got my work phone from sprint. I had no choice but to change the number. on daily, I have received calls from somalia and from calls from the whole world telling me I called them mutiple times in the middle of the night. I always ask them "It was not from my ohone but did they leave yhou a message?" and they always say "no". so I don't get it. What it is it they want?
My company told me that the Washington office of T-mobile lost $ 8000on one night from calls to Samalia. I guest ships are not the only thing the pirates hijack. I was born in somalia thus speak it well. If you are in position to do something about it. Just let me know. Though I am very busy with work and raising children, I would help you putting these criminals behind bars . and I will help you. As we all know, this is not the time for phone and internet fraud.

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Joyjoy27
London, US
Nov 28, 2010 3:26 pm EST

This is happened to me also, the past 2 days i have received a call from [protected], and also received a text message saying : axmed ismaaciil cawil oo ay dsahay khadra ismaaciil oo jooga oodwayne. I have no clue what this means or can i find a translation on it. this is very annoying and scary at the same time!

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Cidee
, US
Nov 28, 2010 6:55 am EST

I have been getting the same thing (numerous calls at all hours of the day from country code 252) for about a week now, and I am in the US and use Cricket phone service. Cricket won't do anything, and my phone doesn't have the option to block individual calls. What I have ended up doing is saving the numbers as "Wrong Number" in my contacts. Then I just recorded a new ringer that's just silence (dead air), and assigning *that* to "Wrong Number". Even though I can't block them technically, it does give me a little bit of peace since my phone is no longer waking me up at night with bogus calls. The only other problem is that they keep calling from different numbers, which I keep having to add. I have saved 8 Somalian numbers so far.

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Mncop2302
, US
Sep 22, 2010 2:17 pm EDT

I am an Investigator for a Police Department and have started receiving these calls on my personal cell phone. They come in at all times of the day and night and when I answer, there is a little kid on the other end. Nothing has worked to get them to stop. I was talking with colleages today who work on scams such as these and they stated that people from that country can't call straight out to order things off the internet, so they call your (and my) number and once they get an answer, the call is re-routed so that they can use your line to order things.

I don't know if this is the case or not but I would strongly suggest NOT ANSWERING the phone. It has come to the point where I leave my phone on silent so they don't wake me up at all hours. It's been a huge inconvenience as I also use this phone when I'm on call for work.

The number calling me is: +[protected]

I will investigate this further and if I come up with a solution, I will let everyone know what it is! Very hard dealing with different countries.

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Weece
Derby, GB
Sep 16, 2010 4:12 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

My wife has the same problem. Today (16 Sept 2010) she has had 16 calls from +[protected]. Her phone is a pay as you go with Asda mobile but the number was transferred from Fresh which was with T-Mobile so it appears that the numbers on T-Mobile have been compromised. Does anyone know if my wife's number is being called by accident or is it some sort of scam?

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DanMel
, AU
Aug 08, 2010 11:12 am EDT
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God! Same situation here(Melbourne)! I've been received phone calls from Somalia recently as well! The number displays as +252 24168093The man from the call was just keep saying certain language to me! How could I understand that country's language! Couple days after the first call, the man phoned me again! at 4 in the morning! I didn't pick up the calls... Then a week later, those calls came up in the morning again! I picked up, then ask him "who is this? Who are u looking for?", then he spoke English suddenly, says "who are u? Who are u?" I didn't answer him, coz he didn't answer my question first.. Then I just hang up... Can anyone explain these weird phone calls to us? God!

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Kraakenn
Lark Harbour, CA
Jul 25, 2010 1:22 pm EDT
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Same thing in Canada on telus. The guy actually left me a message in comprehensible except for call me back. Next time he called I picked up the call and asked him if he spoke English, on confirmation I told him to "stop f****** calling me" and hung up. In the middle if the night I got 2 more calls. Both missed. Next time I'm really going to take strip off his [censor] but I don't know if it will do any good. Makes me feel better I guess.

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Carrie25
Philipsburg, US
Mar 11, 2010 12:44 pm EST

I still am getting the calls also i blocked the number but now they are calling from a different number that looks like a US number but its not, it is really creepy and i might just change my number as well, i dont no how these freaks are getting our phone numbers but its really annoying

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dadadassd
, GB
Mar 10, 2010 10:48 am EST

I have the same problem and I'm in England, always the same number and also T-Mobile told me there's nothing they can do, I need to buy blocking device and block this number for good, at one point I got so pissed off that I swore at the guy for like 5 minutes and he just kept talking to me like a lunatic.