Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2011/09/16/nigerians_think_answering_phone_call_kills/

Nigerians panic over killer calls

Unlucky numbers

By Caleb Cox

Posted in Networks, 16th September 2011 12:19 GMT

The Nigerian public has been reassured by authorities that answering a phone call cannot cause death, after widespread rumours raised concern.

According to viral text messages, a number of people had died when answering the phone to the ID 09141, BBC News reports.

The Nigerian Communications Commission issued the reassurance after many Nigerians actually fell for it, hook, line and ringer. Commission spokesman Reuben Muoka said "Technically, it is not possible for such a thing to happen. It is therefore unimaginable that somebody will die while receiving a call."

"It is only very gullible people that will believe such a rumour."

We can only hope that 419 scammers will be among them. ®