Digital Skills · 5 min read
5 common online scams in Kenya and how to spot them
Fake jobs, fake M-Pesa messages and 'KRA refunds'. Simple checks that keep your money safe.
Scammers count on people being in a hurry. A few simple checks stop most of them.
Scams we see often
- Fake M-Pesa messages asking you to send money back
- Jobs that ask you to pay a 'registration fee'
- 'KRA refund' or 'SHA' links sent by SMS
- Fake online shops with prices too good to be true
- People asking for your M-Pesa PIN or OTP code
Simple checks
- 1Check your M-Pesa balance before sending any money back.
- 2Government sites end in .go.ke. Type the address yourself.
- 3Never share your PIN or OTP with anyone.
- 4Real employers don't charge you to apply.
Tip: Not sure if a message is real? Send us a screenshot on WhatsApp before you act.
