diff --git a/backend/auth/otp/providers.php b/backend/auth/otp/providers.php
index a6011bd..e1aa000 100644
--- a/backend/auth/otp/providers.php
+++ b/backend/auth/otp/providers.php
@@ -180,9 +180,12 @@ function sendIntaleqOtp(string $receiver, string $otp, string $method = 'whatsap
         return false;
     }
 
+    // Normalize receiver to start with +
+    $phoneWithPlus = (strpos($receiver, '+') === 0) ? $receiver : '+' . $receiver;
+
     $apiUrl = 'https://otp.intaleqapp.com/api/request-otp.php';
     $payload = [
-        'phone' => $receiver,
+        'phone' => $phoneWithPlus,
         'app_key' => $appKey,
         'device_type' => 'android',
         'method' => $method,