Safari Booking Frauds
Fake Tour Operators
In Kenya, scammers in urban areas like Nairobi target tourists at bus stations or online, posing as legitimate safari operators for trips to Masai Mara or Amboseli National Park. They offer deals like a 2-day safari for 5000 KSh per person, far below market rates of 15000-20000 KSh, then take upfront payments via M-Pesa and vanish, or provide unsafe vehicles and skip key sites like wildlife viewing areas.
- Book through licensed operators registered with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and verify their KWS license number.
- Use credit cards for payments to enable chargebacks, avoiding cash or mobile money for deposits.
- Cross-check operator reviews on local sites like TripAdvisor and ensure they have a physical office in recognized areas like Nairobi's Westlands.
ATM and Mobile Money Scams
Skimming Devices
Across Kenya, criminals install skimming devices on ATMs in busy spots like Nairobi's CBD or Mombasa's markets, capturing card details while tourists withdraw cash in Kenyan Shillings. For instance, a user might withdraw 5000 KSh but later find unauthorized transactions totaling 20000 KSh from their account, often linked to accomplices monitoring PIN entries.
- Inspect ATMs for tampering, such as loose card slots, and use bank-owned ATMs in secure locations like malls.
- Cover the PIN pad when entering your code and monitor your bank app regularly for unusual activity.
- Opt for mobile money services like M-Pesa with biometric verification when possible, and avoid using ATMs in isolated or poorly lit areas after dark.