Kenyans are losing an average of Ksh116,000 each to lovers met online through dating sites, among other scams, according to a new report by TransUnion.
The report has raised an alarm over the increase in digital scams that exploit emotional vulnerability and economic desperation.
According to the H1 2025 Update to the State of Omnichannel Fraud Report, the scams target youth and middle-income earners.
Further, the report estimates that Kenyans collectively lost over Ksh3 billion in 2023 alone to such scams.
“Kenya has a 133.7% mobile phone penetration rate, with people using mobile phones to conduct their everyday business, connect with friends, or keep in touch with family, so it’s easy to understand why digital fraud would be such a common tactic among fraudsters targeting this region,” said Amritha Reddy, senior director of fraud solutions at TransUnion Africa.
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8 in 10 Kenyans Targeted by Online Fraud, Report Reveals
More than 8 in 10 Kenyans were targeted by online fraudsters between August and December 2024.
The report, released on June 12, 2025, warns that cybercriminals are evolving their tactics faster, especially on platforms Kenyans use daily, like text messages, emails, and phone calls.
Moreover, the study indicates that 82% of Kenyans said they were targeted by fraudsters through email, text messages, phone calls, or online platforms in the last quarter of 2024.
Although only 11% admitted they fell for the tricks, nearly half (45%) said they had lost money to digital fraud within the year.
“While cybercriminals will attack at any time using any channel, they appear to focus on channels most popular in the regions they are targeting,” added Amritha Reddy.
The most common scams used to target Kenyans included Smishing (fraudulent texts) at 39%, Phishing (fake websites, QR codes or emails) at 36%, and Vishing (voice calls pretending to be officials) at 33%.
However, video gaming and dating platforms emerged as new hotspots for fraud in Kenya. Gaming fraud attempts rose by nearly 34%, making it the most targeted industry in 2024, overtaking logistics.
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Those Looking for Jobs and Lovers Targeted
At the same time, the report detailed that many Kenyans lost money through third-party seller scams, fake job offers, and online romance scams.
Many were lured into sending money to strangers on dating platforms or paying fees for non-existent jobs.
Among those who lost money, 34% fell victim to fraudsters posing as online sellers, while 26% were conned through fake job offers, and 25% experienced account takeovers.
Kenya was ranked second in Africa (tied with Namibia) for the number of people who admitted to falling victim to fraud during the second half of 2024.
The report also found that 19% of Kenyans were unaware they were being targeted, suggesting that many fraud attempts go unnoticed, making them even more dangerous.
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