Kenyans are falling prey to a new trick used by scammers to dupe them off millions of shillings using M-PESA transaction confirmation messages.
Recent incidences have revealed that the cons are using a fake message app, available for free use and download on the google play store to manipulate M-PESA messages.
Notably, the cons edit the date, time and amount on previous transaction messages.
They then forward the same message to unsuspecting Kenyan as proof of transactions for buying goods and pretend to be in a hurry to leave.
Additionally, the message sends the fake text through the M-PESA channel making it difficult to determine if it is genuine or not.
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How M-Pesa Messages are Manipulated
Because many transactions are confirmed using the M-PESA messages, a business owner will allow the unscrupulous individuals to leave with the goods only to later note that no money was transferred to their account.
Subsequently, businessmen who have fallen prey to this trick stated that many of them balance their books in the evening confirming the M-PESA transaction code and amount received.
However, the realize losses because the code on the fake message is not a real one and no transaction was made.
Also Read: EPRA Deactivates MPESA Account, Gives Alternative
Other Ways Fake Message App is Used for Cons
Additionally, users on X indicated that the mobile app used to manipulate messages are being used for other cons.
One of the ways the app is used is to lie to Landlords over rent payments.
Responding to a highlighted video on TikTok, one user admitted that they had used the app so many times when they were unable to pay their rent, to evade being kicked out by Landlords.
“If you live in Nairobi and have not used this app with your landlord when you are broke then you are missing out. It has been around for years,” he stated.
Another stated that they had used the app when broke to use public transportation for free.
“I have used this to evade paying my fare in a matatu. Just make sure you alight before the tout notices,” the user stated.
Likewise, the fake message app is also being used to trick individuals into believing that they have received money from a wrong or mistaken transaction.
The recipient then sends back the whole amount to the cons not knowing that the amount had not been received in the first place.
How to Avoid Becoming a Victim to the Con
One of the ways of ensuring that you do not become a victim to this trick, especially as a businessperson is to ensure that the transaction code on your end matches the one from the customer.
Secondly, do not transact any amount of money in a hurry and avoid serving individuals who are create a sense of urgency during transactions.
