The Latest Biz Scams MESHERS Need to Watch Out For

Are you running a business in Kenya?

You're already juggling rising costs, unreliable suppliers, and customers who pay late. But now, there’s another challenge: scammers in suits and sweatpants, targeting entrepreneurs like you with slick pitches and too-good-to-be-true promises.

That’s why we put together this no-nonsense guide for you. Let’s get into it—this is the ultimate guide to avoiding business scams in.

Hii scam inaitwa Pump-and-Dump ICOs ni mbaya sana, it begins with fake startups sprouting on social media. One thing about them is that they promise ridiculously high and fast returns. They claim kuraise funds via ICOs (initial coin offerings), but then they drain wallets.

Now kuna the VASP Bill (Virtual Assets Service Providers Bill, 2025), which now requires crypto platforms zikue na the proper licensing before zianze kuoperate. Lakini bado some rogue offshore ICOs hupenya and still prey on our community

The Pig-Butchering Scam ni ingine mbaya. Imagine a scam yenye inakubeba for weeks, earning your trust alafu without warning, unapoteza pesa zote. That’s pig-butchering. In 2024 alone, hizi scams zilihit US $12.4B globally, with growth of 40% kila mwaka.

Hii scam huanza via romantic chats, alafu inafunnel victims into phony trading platforms. By the time unarequest withdrawal, platform inapotea na funds zinakua locked.

April 2025: CBEX, an “AI-powered trading app” promising 100% returns kila mwezi, froze withdrawals and asked new fees for “verification.” Thousands (especially Nigerians) lost life savings, globally about US $800M was lost to this scam.

● Tumia crypto platforms zile ziko licensed under the VASP Bill.

● No romantic meets then “invest with me.”

● No guaranteed returns.

● Tafadhali always check for verifiable Kenyan registration.

Hapa fraudsters set up agent profiles claiming wananpeana “no-interest” loans or speedy approvals. Ni attractive, BUT, they demand processing fees upfront. Hii yote inafanyika via WhatsApp or social media.

Hawa scammers on Facebook and TikTok wana impersonate respected names, instructing targets walipe a “security fee” before loan approval.

Please usisahau, genuine lenders will never do this.

How it works:

Unalipa anywhere between 1 and 5K kupata loan massive, but the loan never arrives. Ama they suddenly start demanding more ndivo waprocess the loan. Then they vanish in thin air.

● Hakuna formal contracts or paperwork.

● Wanatumia pressure tactics: “Pay now or miss out.”

● Wanatumia fake agent accounts with fake IDs.

✅ Legit microfinance or digital lenders hawaitishangi fees upfront. No upfront fees—ever.

✅ Verify lender kupitia CBK and cross-check Lender Directory.

Watu Kenya hawana kazi, which is why this scam attracts so many people.

This begins with fake recruiters luring jobseekers, promising them high-paying jobs. As soon as someone shows interest, they request an amount like 5k for processing ama what they call “training” fees. They even ask for ID scans, KRA PIN, and passport photos—only to vanish with your documents.

How it plays out:

Aim yao is to collect your money and personal documents and then they disappear. Of course, the job they are claiming to offer is fake.

● No formal interview, wanakuweka kwa group chat on WhatsApp.

● The employer is only reachable via social media.

● Wanakuitisha passport/KRA PIN/ID scans early.

✅ Genuine employers will never ask for money.

✅ You must always demand a video call, a physical office visit, na confirmation from HR.

In this case, fraudsters hu hijack WhatsApp accounts za unsuspecting individuals by requesting verification codes and quickly impersonating them.

They then start messaging your contacts for money. Of course people send them money, thinking they are helping out a friend in need.

Why it happens:

Wewe ni potential victim kama:

● You have not activated the two-step verification (2FA) kwa WhatsApp yako.

● Scammers often forward links impersonating “trusted” contacts.

✅ Please usiwai share a verification code.

✅ Enable WhatsApp PIN and notify contacts wako wote that account yako iko hacked.

✅ Warn your contacts kama umeloose access.

For this scam, promoters on Telegram or WhatsApp promise you “fixed” soccer matches with guaranteed payouts, for a fee of course.

How it plays out:

Hawa scammers hukuambia to pay anywhere between 5 and 20k into a mobile money account/number. Ukituma pesa, wanakutumia one “winning” ticket, alafu like the wind, they vanish.

No more tips, no more replies, unabaki peke yako.

Why it’s a scam:

● Fixed matches don’t exist, at least not legally. So don't ever bet on one.

● Ukipatikana, you even risk getting into legal trouble under the Betting, Lotteries & Gaming Act

● Kupromisiwa “Insider info” and “VIP tips.”

● Lazima you make upfront payments for odds.

● An anonymous Telegram/WhatsApp channel.

● Grammar errors in messages and weird promises.

✅ If it sounds too good to be true—it probably is.

These scammers come with promises like “You’ll earn Ksh 10–100 per social media post view.” Lakini, you must first register with anywhere between 300 shs to 1,500shs. Wanasema watakutumia post statuses, and then promise you that your money is coming.

How it unfolds:

At first your balance seems real, lakini ukijaribu kuwithdraw, you are blocked or asked to recruit more people. The scheme dies or just disappears.

● Students and low-income earners get stuck with fees, na the cash they appear to make will never come.

● Victims often give personal info, ambayo scammers hutumia in identity theft.

✅ Please know that real jobs will never ask you for money.

✅ If they pay per view, but are asking for registration upfront, iyo ni scam.

Hii ni a bit simple and they prey on wale watu wanatafuta nyumba.

They post cheap rentals on social media, alafu wanakuitisha anywhere between 1,500–3,000 before you view the house, and that amount is per house. Ukishalipa, they disappear.

Examples:

● “Viewing fee per house”, lakini izo properties don’t exist

● Ama the agents take the cash and then show you dumpy houses or none at all

✅ Please inspect the house before paying.

✅ Tumia licensed agencies ama just ask the caretakers in the buildings.

✅ Ukipewa pressure to pay upfront, just walk away.

Tumia hii checklist ku dodge scams na you keep your hustle safe:

1. Usiwai lipa upfront for anything. That’s a classic advance-fee scam.

2. Fixed match betting is fake. Usiwai fall for VIP “sure odds” on Telegram or WhatsApp.

3. Loan offers on WhatsApp or TikTok? Wakiitisha processing fee, they’re not legit.

4. Job offers that zinaitisha payment – hiyo ni scam. Real jobs call you for interviews, not M-PESA requests.

5. WhatsApp hijacks are real. Enable 2FA (two-step verification) today. Usiwai share verification codes with anyone.

6. Looking for a house? Usilipe ku view. Use licensed agents or get referrals from trusted contacts.

7. Protect your personal data. Usiwai share your ID, KRA PIN, payslip, or bank info unless you're 100% sure hao watu ni legit.

8. Use trusted platforms only—like MESH, Jiinue, or verified apps and websites.

9. Ask the community before committing. Someone in the MESH fam has probably seen that scam before—lean on the tribe.

Yes, scams have evolved, but so have we. By staying alert, verifying details, and leaning on MESH support, you’re not just surviving, you’re winning.