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[HOLD] Eastleigh's M-Pesa agents on high alert as fraud cases rise

By Abdirahman Khalif | 02 Mar 2024

M-Pesa theft is on the rise in Eastleigh, with fraudsters from both within and outside the area targeting agents whom they perceive as vulnerable.

On February 9, 2024, fraudsters stole at least Sh33,500 from an M-pesa agent on Jam Street in Eastleigh, Nairobi, one of many such crimes that have rocked the neighbourhood over the last few weeks.

A group of people posing as Safaricom customer care representatives walked into Mohamed Dek's M-Pesa shop pretending to carry out a genuine transaction.

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They initially handed him Sh40,00o but later retrieved it and replaced it with Sh30,000 and an additional Sh5,000 in small denominations, a move aimed at creating confusion.

Mohamed inadvertently deposited a total of Sh75,000 to their phone.

The fraudsters visited the same agent on Friday, employing similar tactics, but Mohamed recognised them and thwarted their plan this time round. He brandished a machete, causing them to flee and leave behind an identity card and a mobile phone.

"This is a significant loss for me," Mohamed said, highlighting the devastating impact of such incidents on small businesses.

He filed a report at the Eastleigh North Police Station on Saturday, under OB number 22. The police said three similar incidents were reported in February and that it was likely more had taken place but gone unreported.

An officer who did not want to be named told The Eastleigh Voice that an investigation was opened following the theft at Mohamed's shop and the realisation that several other incidents have taken place in Eastleigh.

M-Pesa theft is on the rise in Eastleigh, with fraudsters from both within and outside the area targeting agents whom they perceive as vulnerable.

That many M-Pesa agents in the area do not know about Safaricom's customer care protocols is a factor that has contributed to an increase in incidents.

Efforts to curb the crime are underway, with authorities urging vigilance among shop owners and heightened awareness of common fraud tactics.

Safaricom has also reiterated the importance of verifying the identity of individuals claiming to be customer care representatives and encouraging agents to promptly report suspicious activities.

Additionally, community leaders and law enforcement agencies are collaborating to enhance security measures and train M-Pesa agents on fraud detection and prevention strategies.

There have also been calls for increased cooperation between Safaricom and local authorities to strengthen the protection of M-Pesa agents and customers alike.