In the bustling streets of hardscrabble Narok town – some 109 kilometres (68 miles) south-east of the capital Nairobi – and its surrounding areas, cashless electronic transactions have become a norm, just like in the rest of Kenya.

From Safaricom’s Mpesa to Airtel Money and bank agent transactions, mobile money has revolutionised commerce and daily life. However, alongside these conveniences lurks a growing risk of high-tech fraudsters who prey on unsuspecting victims, siphoning off their hard-earned money through sophisticated scams.

Unlike traditional robberies that are characterised by violence and intimidation, these modern thieves operate behind the scenes using technology as their weapon of choice.

Mobile fraud cases have surged, turning areas like Mulot on the border of Narok and Bomet counties into a feared hotspot. The name ‘Mulot Mpesa shops’ alone sends shivers down the spine of victims who have fallen prey to digital heists.

In November 2021, authorities made a breakthrough when they arrested the notorious mobile fraudster David Mutai, alias Matindwet, in Kericho County. He was accused of hacking into 481 bank accounts across the country. Upon raiding his hideout in Kericho’s central business district, officers recovered eight SIM cards, with Mutai admitting that Mulot Central was his operational base.

While he was captured, his accomplices disappeared without trace, highlighting the elusive nature of these cyber criminals. The fraudsters, often young men between 20 and 30 years old, have turned deception into an art form.

Masquerading as customer care representatives from telecommunications and banking corporations, they manipulate victims into revealing personal details such as account passwords and verification codes. Once they gain access, they execute their crimes swiftly, leaving victims in financial ruin.

Over time, their tactics have evolved. Initially, they called customers under the guise of assisting them with mobile banking issues. Today, they have expanded their operations to social media, conning Kenyans through fake business deals and investment opportunities.

Faith Chebet, a 25-year-old woman from Olmekenyu-Narok South, recounts the heart-breaking ordeal that left her with nothing but regret.

“I was super excited when I received a Facebook message from a name I recognized,” she says, her voice heavy with emotion. “His image looked familiar, and my instincts trusted him. I thought I was dealing with someone real.”

The scammer, using the name ‘Kibet,’ claimed he could secure her a lucrative deal to supply beans to Narok Boys High School. Excited by the opportunity, she agreed to purchase three bags of beans at Ksh8,000 ($62) each from a seller who had been ‘referred’ by Kibet. She promptly sent Ksh24,000 ($184.75) via Mpesa, expecting to pick up the beans later.

The moment she transferred the money, everything changed. The Facebook account she had been communicating with vanished, the seller’s phone number became unreachable, and attempts to reverse the transaction at an Mpesa agent proved futile, the funds had already been withdrawn.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she laments. “Within 30 minutes, I lost everything. It was devastating.”

Not all fraudsters escape unscathed. Kengele (not his real name) was once deeply entrenched in the mobile fraud underworld.

A bright student who scored a B-plus in the 2015 KCSE examinations, he chose the path of crime, lured by the promise of quick riches. For 10 years, he thrived in the illegal trade until a tragic incident forced him to reconsider his life choices.

“I was in a car with my friends after defrauding a widow of funeral contributions,” he recalls. “As we drove back to Narok-Mulot, we were involved in a horrific accident. Everyone in the car died except me. That was my turning point.”

Since then, Kengele has left the world of fraud, although he admits that many scammers continue to operate freely, often bribing rogue police officers to evade arrest.

“We knew when to strike end of the month, school opening days, and festive seasons when people had money,” he explains. “Our only weapon was a phone, and after making a kill, we would celebrate in clubs, buy motorcycles and build houses.”

Despite his past, Kengele now calls on youth to quit fraud and engage in meaningful employment.

He urges President William Ruto to expedite the establishment of the promised Data Centre in Narok West to provide young people with IT skills and alternative livelihoods. “Quick money destroys families,” he warns. “It fuels infidelity, love triangles and broken homes.”

With mobile fraud cases on the rise, authorities in Narok, led by County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia, are stepping up efforts to curb the menace. “We urge residents to be extra vigilant, especially during peak financial seasons like school openings and harvesting periods when fraudsters are most active,” warns Lotiatia.

Religious leaders have also joined the call for reform, urging the government to establish amnesty and rehabilitation programmes for convicted fraudsters.

“We should offer reformed individuals a second chance to integrate back into society,” one church leader suggests.

The problem extends beyond Narok. In September 2023, police in Thika town in Kiambu County, arrested Emmanuel Kiprono, a suspected SIM swap fraudster.

A raid at his hideout in Zimmerman unearthed SIM cards, forged police abstracts, and fake identification documents. Such cases highlight the need for robust policies and stricter regulations in the mobile money sector.

According to Global Policy Challenges and Solutions, a firm specializing in financial security, mobile money fraud is a global challenge requiring urgent intervention. They recommend increased government oversight, enhanced consumer education, and stricter penalties for offenders.

Mobile money remains a vital component of Kenya’s economy. However, the public must remain vigilant. Fraudsters are continually evolving, discovering new ways to exploit unsuspecting individuals, experts warn

By staying informed, verifying transactions as strictly adhering to guidelines from telco companies and banks, and reporting suspicious activities, Kenyans can safeguard themselves against falling prey to these digital predators.

Banks and mobile Money transfer telcos frequently send reminder messages warning clients about scammers, emphasising that they never request PINs, cards or account details. Customers are urged to keep this information private to prevent financial losses.

• Tell / KNA report / By Lamech Willy