by

Obia Saron

CyJurII Theorist

on 27 March 2026

Communication is a strategic pillar in doing business, developing economic partnership and for criminal patterns. Innovation in the communication sector is gradually becoming a menace to cyber criminologist, forensic network experts and telecom companies. From the MagicJack to the Simbox, the internet is on fire with complaints from individuals and communication agencies. Prior to the creation of these applications or tools, individuals and business ventures rely on traditional communication tools to dial and respond to national and international tasks. 

Often at times, one may think that Sub Saharan Africa is still adapting to technological dynamics, though the mastery of tech tools African youths is evident during awards and presentations in international symposiums. In the early 2000s, the MagicJack was available in the dark-market and was used by cybercriminals to defraud business companies, individuals and state corporations. MagicJack uses the internet (voice over IP or VOIP) to carry its calls rather than traditional phone lines, which cuts costs dramatically, VPN to secure location when use for criminal intent. However, it is necessary to reiterate that the magicJack is both a product (hardware) and service (software). Below is an image of a magicJack Plus: 

The magicJack is a compact tool: less than 3” long, 2” wide, and weighs less than 2 ounces (very nice when you travel). There’s a USB port with a plug at one end and an Ethernet jack and regular phone jack at the other end (Whitney Tilson, 2014). The magicJack is used according to the pattern of each individual, either positive or negative. At home, plug the magicJack into a tech tool and into your router via the provided Ethernet cable, and then plug a mobile phone into the phone port (note that, unlike earlier versions of magicJack, application is now available for download on portable devices). Login/website registration and then the ‘game’ can start. The software is also functional for mobile devices. In case you have access to Wi-Fi, not a router, just plug the magicJack into your computer. Then, you can make and receive phone calls, either on your computer or by plugging a regular phone into them magicJack. When synchronize to a smartphone app, incoming calls via the magicJack number, equally rings at home and on the individual’s smartphone.

Conclusion

One of the essential gadget or service used by cybercriminals to communicate with their victims and persuade them to effectuate payment for goods or services offered. The magicJack is a product and service, which the police need to adopt strategic methods to counter the use of the tool for criminal patterns. Due to poor internet connectivity in Sub Saharan Africa, VPN is usually used to run the device or software, easing the task for law enforcement agencies to track the criminals from their IP address and arrest them. African states should enforce their e- commerce laws to restrict or limit the importation of certain technological devices which can be used for criminal intent.

Sources

Figure 1. MagicJack Plus device illustrating connections to a router, telephone handset, and power outlet.

1. Whitney Tilson (2014) MagicJack: My Next Netflix (2014). Adapted by the author.

2. Obia Saron (2018) Cybercrime and Identity Theft A Practical Guide for Cameroon Police