Communication Authority Warns Buyers Of Fraudulent Online Sellers

The Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) through the National Computer Incident Response Team Coordination Centre (National KE-CIRT/CC) has issued an advisory on online shopping fraud in Kenya.

This comes after a series of complains from Kenyans who have been conned by fraudulent online sellers who use baits to attract potential buyers, and later steal from them.

“The online shopping criminals entice unsuspecting buyers through deals via email, SMS, social media pages or telephone. They also request registration fee for the goods or service,” stated Francis Wangusi, the CA Director General.

Such sellers have unavailable registered physical addresses/contacts, lack of customer care helplines, suspicious telephone numbers, email addresses and websites and impersonation of websites, mobile applications for institutions such as banks, insurance and government agencies.

CA has consequently advised the public to desist from sending money to mobile numbers belonging to individuals posing as representatives of such online stores.

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“Verify the authenticity of online trading platforms through family, friends and organisations before engaging with them. (Also), avoid installing internet applications with questionable sources,” adds Wangusi.

The authority has also asked Kenyans to report such fraudsters to the police and the National KE-CIRT/CC, as well as check reviews of such apps by third parties.

They have also advised the public to shun disclosing to third parties personal details such as bank account details, ATM PINs, usernames and passwords.

Last week, eight Nigerians and one Tanzanian were arrested in different cases with materials suspected to be used in online and digital fraud.

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