Cameroon’s electric power company, Energy of Cameroon (Eneo), has warned there is a surge in electricity fraud involving prepaid digital meters, prompting the utility to ramp up consumer awareness and intensify anti-fraud operations.
According to a recent statement, over 60% of households and businesses in the economic capital Douala have adopted Eneo’s prepaid electricity solution, introduced to help modernise electricity consumption and billing.
But while this system offers flexibility and transparency, it has also created new opportunities for fraud.
Eneo said fraudsters use a variety of techniques to prevent these meters from recording consumption. The methods of illegal tampering include direct connection, faulty relays, modifying or adding components that interfere with the proper recording of power consumption on the meter's measuring circuit, installing a dummy neutral, amongst others.
The power utility disclosed that in the first half of 2023 alone, 62% of all fraud cases detected in Douala involved prepaid meters – a stark contrast to 38% involving postpaid ones.
The company noted that the trend is on the rise, raising concerns about its potential impact on the integrity of the national electricity grid.
The company stated: “Electricity fraud is an illegal practice that affects everyone. It undermines the electricity network, penalises honest customers and exposes offenders to heavy penalties. Fraud is also a danger to people's property and lives.”
To help combat fraud, Eneo has stepped up inspections and compliance operations to detect and normalise illegal connections.
“In accordance with Article 13 of the Public Electricity Distribution Service Regulations, we are conducting regular compliance checks, enforcing reconnections, and recovering outstanding payments,” Eneo added.
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