Subtle Ways Criminals Are Using Covid-19 To Scam

By Priscilla Njambi

“FG Lockdown relief funds bit.ly…FG has finally approved and have started giving out free Kshs 1000 relief fund to every citizen. Below is how to claim and get your credit instantly. https://bit.ly/ free kshs 1000”

 A text message came hitting Precious Mwihaki’s phone, a susceptible Kenyan citizen. This is among skillfully woven circulating online fraud messages that insinuates the government is distributing cash to cushion its citizens from the hunger pangs occasioned by the Covid 19 lockdown. The message is even accompanied by the “court of arms” Kenyan Logo making it appear legitimate

For fraudsters, fear and desperation are easy resources to exploit. Criminals are taking advantage of the fear and anxiety created by the coronavirus and social distancing rules to defraud Kenyans through cybercrime.

 Another subtle statement claims “Safaricom PLC will be giving out Sh2,500 to all its users during this corona pandemic to help people while staying at home. Claim your share now,” says one of the fraudulent text messages seen by the Saturday Nation.

“All Kenyan citizens are entitled to free 200GB of data to stay at home to counter Covid-19,” says the fraudulent post by the phishing website that is currently doing the rounds on Facebook. Attached to the message is a hyperlink to a website that has since been pulled down.

 Kenya, whose cybercrime and fraud rates are ordinarily way above global and continental averages, according to various statistics, has been caught into the criminal wave. Such links have largely been found to be infected with malware that triggers mining of personal information, passwords, photos, contacts among other valuables that are subsequently used to extort, for cyber bullying, stealing of finances among other ills.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), too, has been forced to clarify to motorists after a malicious page appeared on Facebook called “Smart DL” (Driving License) that has been telling people it is issuing smart driving licenses.

Cybercriminals like the ones behind the “Smart DL” scam have taken advantage of Kenyans desperate to get government services in order to con them.

Apart from phishing, cybercriminals are trying conning Kenyans by pretending to offer services or goods online in order to get money out of them. Criminals advertise what they call miracle drugs against the coronavirus, or they sell poorly produced protective masks at an enormous profit. Since there’s a high demand for things such as hand sanitizers and PPE masks due to the pandemic, Kenyans were warned against purchasing substandard items using online services.

One such scam identified by the Saturday Nation calls itself “Inua Wananchi Sacco”, which claims it can offer those who register with it for Sh1,000 a payment of Sh800 weekly for the next eight weeks.

“Messages accompanying such links are enticingly packaged with captivating words meant to prompt potential but unsuspecting victims to click onto them with a promise of getting something declared therein,” said the DCI (Director of Criminal Investigation), Mr George Kinoti.

With most people opting to shop or transact online, companies and law enforcement authorities are reporting an upsurge in online scams. Economic crimes and internet-related fraud have surged across the world since Covid-19 was declared a global health pandemic last month.

Mr Kinoti revealed that the criminals are scamming Kenyans through phishing emails to sell non-existent messages and offering free goodies. The free goodies include mobile data and airtime, especially now that people are required to work from home to prevent the further spread of coronavirus. Phishing is a form of cybercrime where targets are contacted by email or text messages by scammers posing as legitimate institutions.

Kenyans were also warned against using free Wi-Fi and sharing their personal and financial information online. Mr Kinoti posted an example of how Kenyans are being conned by the criminals by saying that the government is giving out 200GB to all citizens. He urged citizens to be vigilant and to avoid making online transactions with questionable individuals or organizations.

The Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) had earlier drawn attention to the circulating cyber scams and pointed out that fraudsters were impersonating websites and mobile applications of banks, insurance, government agencies, among others.

They are also making use of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram to perpetrate their fraudulent schemes.

The targets are then lured to provide sensitive information, such as their passwords, banking and credit card details. Such information may be obtained by asking targets to fill in some forms thinking they are performing legitimate transactions, or unknowingly logging in to websites.

“For door step deliveries, we warn that some may be done by criminals, who deliver products that are treated with sleep inducers &/or drugs meant to stupefy, after which victims may lose their valuables,” concluded Mr Kinoti.