Most of you guys must have been familiar with the ways weird messages go viral on WhatsApp –the 08030004900-suicide message is the latest of such. In the message, it was claimed that people that received call from the number are enchanted and committed suicide.
The composer of the message even drew a reference from the recent suicide committed by the doctor who jumped into in the lagoon. Here is the message as passed around on WhatsApp:
“Gud evening ,i hope u guys ave heard dat d police saved anoda woman tryn to jump into d lagoon today..pls my sisters dis is d number calling dem..08030004900…i didnt really blive until a friend tld me d number called her nd started sayn sum enchantment and d nxt thing she heard waz tld to 08030004900 kill her self wit any possible means she has…d same number called her friends broda in skul nd if nt for her friend’s broda roommated dat stop him..he wud ave stabbed himself wit d knife in his hands..so pls sisters lets pass dis information..nd lets also b prayerful..d was d same number dat called dat doctor dat jumped into d lagoon too…#TAKEHEED
Pls don’t pick calls from d number
Two of my course mates were saved cos dey missed d call”
However, this message is untrue; it’s one of those messages composed and shared by the mischief makers trying to cause tension and anxiety in the society.
The Truth About 08030004900
If you are very conversant with MTN, you could have drawn a clue from the caller. MTN SMS service number is +234803000000, and its caller tune number is 4900. I think because people are familiar with the 4900 number and tend not to be picking MTN caller tune promotional calls again, the network provider decided to convert the number to 08030004900. And with that, the number now resembles a standard 11-digit number of a person and people are likely to pick calls from the number.
Therefore 08030004900 is a promotional message number from MTN and not from ritualist.
Personally I have received calls from the number, and I have never pondered committing suicide or doing things out of my control. The next time you see the number, don’t panic, pick it up if you feel like listening to the message or drop it if you are not interest.
If you don’t want to receive any promotional call or message from MTN again, see our post on how to activate Do Not Disturb on MTN. With Do Not Disturb, you are sure not to receive any funny promotional call and message MTN again.
Please share this post with your friends to let them know that 08030004900 is not a ritualist number.
