Mlolongo Businesswoman Exposes M-Pesa Scam Attempt: A Warning for Small Business Owners
Mlolongo businesswoman narrowly escapes M-Pesa fraud in her shop, uncovering how scammers impersonated Safaricom to access her mobile money float. Her story serves as a critical warning for small business owners across Kenya.
In a disturbing account from Mlolongo, Ms. Esther, a businesswoman operating an M-Pesa outlet and chemical shop on Biashara Street, narrowly avoided losing her mobile money float in an elaborate scam attempt. Her story serves as a warning to other small business owners and highlights the need for vigilance against increasingly sophisticated mobile money fraud tactics.
Ms. Esther shared that a female customer entered her shop to buy bleach chemicals, claiming to have been sent by a friend. Since she didn’t know the exact quantity to purchase, she requested to borrow Esther’s phone to confirm the order with her contact. Unknowingly, this was the first step in an elaborate con designed to gain access to Esther’s M-Pesa float.
Shortly after, Esther received a call from what appeared to be Safaricom’s customer care number, 0722000000. The caller instructed her to follow steps for a supposed system “update.” At first, she complied, but when they began giving deposit instructions, Esther sensed something was wrong. She later realized that the “customer” had saved her contact under Safaricom’s official number in her phone, a tactic aimed at building credibility for the scam. The woman was joined by an accomplice, who pretended to browse perfumes in the shop while subtly creating distractions.
This tactic is a common con technique, where scammers alter the names under which their numbers are saved to resemble official contacts, thus misleading victims into trusting fake customer care representatives.
This case is a clear example of obtaining by false pretenses, an offense outlined in Kenya’s Penal Code under Section 313. This law prohibits obtaining goods, money, or services through deceit or misrepresentation. Offenders face penalties including jail time if convicted. Additionally, under Kenya’s Cybercrimes Act, impersonating another party to gain unauthorized access to financial services can result in prosecution.
A police representative advised, “Scammers are increasingly using deceptive tactics to access mobile money accounts. Impersonation and fraud are punishable offenses under Kenya’s laws, and the public should exercise caution when dealing with strangers or unusual requests.”
Unfortunately, Ms. Esther’s experience is far from unique. In response to her story, others came forward with their own accounts of M-Pesa fraud. Martin, a fellow small business owner from Kitengela, revealed how a similar scam cost him Ksh 1,000, while Maxwell Otieno shared that he lost Ksh 100,300 in an M-Pesa con, which he described as a devastating experience that nearly endangered his life.
According to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), mobile money fraud is on the rise as fraudsters come up with new tactics. Criminals often use impersonation techniques, making it essential for M-Pesa users to stay alert and avoid sharing their phones or personal information with strangers.
Ms. Esther’s story serves as a powerful reminder for all M-Pesa users and small business owners to remain vigilant and protect their financial assets. Active Citizen will continue to cover this story and other efforts to safeguard Kenyans from fraud and ensure justice in the face of rising scams.
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