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SokoSwiftKENYA

Safety centre

Buy and sell safely

Most people are honest, but a few aren’t. These simple habits protect you every time.

When you’re buying

  • Meet in a busy public place in daylight, like a mall or a shop, or bring someone with you.
  • Check the item works and matches the ad before you pay. For phones, dial *#06# and check the IMEI matches the box.
  • For cars and motorbikes, check the logbook matches the seller’s ID and do an NTSA search.
  • Pay by M-Pesa or cash when you collect, never before you’ve seen the item.
  • For rentals, view the house in person and meet the landlord or caretaker. Never pay viewing or booking fees.

When you’re selling

  • Never share your full address in the ad. Agree a meeting place in the chat.
  • Check the money is in your M-Pesa balance (or the app) before handing anything over. Don’t trust an SMS.
  • Never send money back to someone who says they paid you “by mistake”.
  • Never share your M-Pesa PIN or a code we send you, with anyone.
  • If you’re selling from home, have someone else there.

Common scams to watch for

Fake M-Pesa messages

A "buyer" sends an SMS that looks like an M-Pesa confirmation. Real ones come from MPESA, not a phone number. Always check your M-Pesa balance before handing anything over.

"Sent by mistake"

Someone says they sent you money by mistake and asks you to send it back. Don't. Ask them to reverse it through Safaricom; if the money was never real, nothing happens.

Viewing and booking fees

A "landlord" or "agent" wants a viewing fee, booking fee or deposit before you've seen the house. Genuine landlords let you view first.

Job registration fees

An "employer" asks you to pay for registration, training, uniform or a medical check. Genuine employers never charge you to get a job.

Pay first, deliver later

The seller wants M-Pesa before you've seen the phone, laptop or animals, often promising delivery by "rider". Pay when you collect.

Too good to be true

New iPhones, cars or apartments far below the usual price, with pressure to pay quickly before "someone else takes it".

Something wrong?

Report it to us: use the Report button on any ad or seller profile. Reports are private and reviewed by our team within 24 hours.

Lost money? Call Safaricom customer care on 100 straight away and ask them to reverse the M-Pesa payment. Forward scam SMS messages to 333 (free). Then report it at the nearest police station or to the DCI.

In danger? Call 999 or 112.