Cofek has today received two complaints of fraudsters calling their victims and wiping their M-Pesa accounts using automatically generated short codes or passwords. This is how it goes.

A victim is called by a total stranger purporting to be working for any of the mobile service providers, claiming they have won cash even for promotions they were not involved in.

To trap their would-be victims or unsuspecting phone subscribers, the caller cautions the victim never to share the PIN even as they jointly plan to transfer the proceeds of a non-existent cash. That gives a sense of false confidence.

According to the victims accounts, the callers appear "fine, graduates and people with either a link or experience in customer care of mobile service providers". They add "unlike the Kamiti prisoon fraudsters, the latest callers are not in a hurry and call the prey repeatedly without switching off their numbers".

Once their prey are convinced, they ask them whether or not they have any money in their M-Pesa accounts so as to avoid exceeding the allowable holding limit. They are so clever in asking not for the exact amount but round figure. Once assured, they proceed to the next step according to the script.

It is then that their prey are asked to call #555555 to have the funds transfer process commenced. The caller would then receive "secret password" a combination of digits and letters. Incidentally and to confuse their prey more, such number comes from a customized short-code christened "Equity Bank" as was the case with today's victims.

Other instructions follow and the victim is asked repeatedly and "genuinely" whether or not he/she has received the cash. It is then that the victim discovers his account balance.

Today, one of the victims lost Sh9,999 in the hope of getting an additional Sh50,000. Another one lost Sh18,500. Many got unreported. Such victims fall for the trap either due to greed but mostly because they are not fully sensitized.


#11 wycliffe 2016-10-13 08:38
there is a lot of inside work at these mobile service providers ,is it not arequrement that they respond to customer care calls in the shortest time possible yet some are not even answerd.
#10 Hako Tu 2016-09-29 10:12
Isn't the max amount allowed in account 140000? Huyo hizo extra 8000 zilikuwa wapi? Story fake nayo
#9 Moses 2016-09-05 13:40
Could these be the Fraudsters Safaricom kicked out last year and early this that are retaliating or are they working in cahoots with the existing fraudsters within Safaricom who are yet to be identified?!
#8 Mwakudu 2016-07-08 14:41
This guys have just called me right now claiming that I have won 75000 shillings. Instructing me to go to mpesa and widthdraw cash through ATM to an agent number 555555. I am like i have jus won. Why would i want to withdraw my money. Nimemwambie arudi shule akasome tu. He needs education. Be at your watch people!!! Its real.
#7 This calls us tobe e 2016-05-04 07:32
This calls us to be extra careful
#6 DENNIS MUTUA KISULE 2016-01-07 15:35
I received two diffrent messages on 22/08/2015 alleging that I won in Nakumatt Mega and kcb bank promotion.Another message poped in on Nakumatt mega and lipa na mpesa promotion.The callers on 0788226598 and 0786583706 demanded that I deposit funds at an mpesa agent before talking further.I LIED TO THEM AND THEY NOTICED SAYING THAT I WAS NOT SERIOUS WITH MONEY.
#5 Kojwang 2015-10-14 12:33
Safaricom needs to take responsibility. Their systems are hackable by that 55555 number even without sharing personal information
#4 Anonymous 2015-08-03 18:59
Wakikupigia jibu hivi "Hallo city mortuary, how can help you?"
#3 Michael Mbitu Kimani 2015-07-03 11:52
Was conned of 148,000 on January 13th, 2015. The 555555 was used....I learn't hard way. Beware........................
#2 Mwendwa Israel 2015-07-01 08:22
Lack of alertness is not the only major factor in these scams. I dare say greed and craving for freebies is our undoing in this country.. The first rule of a civilized economy is: EARN WHAT YOU GET!

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