Ethiopian Federal Police on Wednesday were looking into a foreign link in a scam that deprived the state Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) of over 1 billion birr (117 million dollars) in revenues through illegal diversion of
international telephone calls.
Press reports Wednesday alleged that 24 ETC technical staff and accomplices in Addis Ababa had collaborators in the United States, Canada and South Africa in the operation that went undetected for two years.
The English language weekly The Reporter alleged that accomplices outside Ethiopia were responsible for provided equipment and training and opening bank accounts.
Suspicions first arose at the ETC after it discovered that incoming traffic from North America through its main satellite receiving station was reduced from 600 calls per day to six. – Sapa-DPA