Fraudsters who swindle unsuspecting Kenyans through mobile phone data look to have upped their game as we get into the new year.
A social media user recently asked Kenyans to stay watchful, claiming these scammers better known in the streets as “Safaricom Conmen” or “Kamiti Conmen” are now calling their victims using Safaricom’s official number.
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For a long time, the telecommunications company has insisted that it only reaches out to its customers via 0722000000, but it seems like unauthorized individuals have now found a trick around this.
Conmen are now calling using Safaricom's official number. The game done changed
— Dan Riro (@Danfar_) January 6, 2020
How comes fraudsters are using 0722000000 to con people. My friend has just been conned and the guys were calling via this number. HOW?@SafaricomPLC @ItsMutai @ItsBravin
— Eric Gichuru (@gichuru_eric) October 13, 2019
@Safaricom_Care I got a call from this number 0722 000000,? An outright conman trying to extort info from me about my mpesa, mshwari and KCB mpesa? Is it your staff are now calling using that number or who because I think this is your official number??
— 🇰🇪 (@stevomuiruri) January 5, 2020
You guys are coming in the DM trying to telle that the number which called me is not your number, do you think I am stupid I don't know how to read numbers mmmh?? pic.twitter.com/w3PHEu5fn4
— 🇰🇪 (@stevomuiruri) January 5, 2020
A friend from Safaricom once called me using the Safaricom number with many zeros(00). So my question is, Is it not possible for their malicious employees to steal from customers through that official number?
— NaiBei Kelvin (@itsNaibei) January 6, 2020
It’s still quite unclear how fraudsters manage to pull this off, and the poor responses by the company to customer’s enquiry on the matter have only made the situation more puzzling.
It doesn't help and you know that.
— Eric Gichuru (@gichuru_eric) October 14, 2019
While some have blamed it on Caller ID spoofing – the practice of causing the telephone network to indicate to the receiver of a call that the originator of the call is a station other than the true originating station – tech experts insist that in order for one to pull such a stunt with such a big company, much more than just basic knowledge in global mobile communications.
Call spoofing that is https://t.co/zdbRvfLFEq
— Slimshady (@tuwei_ignecious) January 6, 2020
NEVER EVER TRUST THE CALLER ID.
It's very easy to spoof the number or the name using voice over internet.
Rule No. 1 in securing your identity.
If you didn't initiate the transaction, it's most likely fraudulent. https://t.co/NmxHC28Kak
— Ichangai (@MichaelMburu_) January 6, 2020
This is Caller ID spoofing. Mostly work via VoIP or PRI. Its hard to know if a call is actually fraud or not. https://t.co/ldKnofhYpL
— Newton Sheesha™ 🇰🇪 (@Newtonsheesha) January 6, 2020
Its called number spoofing. Its a method of cloning a number so whenever i make calls or send texts on your end it’ll read the number ive cloned. New year seems to be having its own set of advancements kaa rada!!!!.
— fourty seven (@benedict_ink) January 6, 2020
So this number has an issue with me cause it called me twice yesterday. pic.twitter.com/pT7CrIK2Yz
— ANTHONY CHACHA OPERE (@OpereAnthony) January 6, 2020
There is an app that can call with any number
— AbuSakeena (@FauzKhalid) January 6, 2020
Insider. It's an old modus operandi because of insufficient internal monitoring and controls. Even goes as far as working with banking staff at times.
— Ty (@tyrus_) January 6, 2020
Definitely not this level. Most likely simple social engineering moves and insider help.
— 0xSMKN 🇰🇪 (@kinuthian_) January 6, 2020
Conmen are Safaricom employees now. Game's changed.
— Mkorofi. 🕗 (@_Makwara) January 6, 2020
The Conmen are Safaricom Employees!! Fraud is rampant.. sometime back they were even listening to calls made to ur bank and even accessing peoples mobile banking apps! https://t.co/pxtiLsEkjv
— Angie M (@thoggy33) January 6, 2020
The number ain't from safaricom. My friend was called through the same. Just know that if ever you receive a call and they ask so many questions like your pin, you going to an mpesa shop, he's a fraud. They lock your mpesa too. It's all a trick. https://t.co/WzUoLjuXwp
— Honeyfar🐾 (@Hanifasafia) January 6, 2020
Safaricom is yet to issue any communication regarding these claims.
