You’ve just sold a sofa on Facebook Marketplace. The buyer is eager, agrees to your price of Ksh 15,000, and insists on paying via Pochi la Biashara for “convenience.” They send a screenshot of a payment confirmation, but your M-Pesa statement is empty. Sound familiar?
This is the new-age con, and it’s catching many Kenyans off guard. Pochi la Biashara is a powerful tool, but scammers are getting creative. This guide cuts through the noise. We’ll show you the real-time tricks fraudsters use and give you the street-smart knowledge to protect your hard-earned cash, from Nairobi to Mombasa.
Know the Enemy: Common Pochi la Biashara Scams in Kenya
Forewarned is forearmed. Scammers in Kenya have perfected schemes that exploit trust and urgency. The first step to avoid fraud and scams when using Pochi la Biashara is knowing their playbook.
The Fake Payment Screenshot (The Classic)
This is the most common trick, especially on Jiji, Facebook, and Instagram. The buyer or seller sends a doctored M-Pesa or bank SMS screenshot showing a completed transaction. They pressure you to release goods or send money back, claiming “network delay.”
Rule Number 1: Screenshots prove NOTHING. Only the official transaction in your M-Pesa statement or bank app is real. Never act on a screenshot alone. Tell them, “Nangoja transaction ionekane kwa statement yangu.”
The “Wrong Number” Refund Scam
Here, a “customer” claims they sent money to your number by mistake and pleads for a refund. They’ll send a fake confirmation to “prove” it. If you refund them, you’re sending your own money. The original “transaction” never existed.
Always verify the incoming funds in your account independently. If no money arrived, block and ignore. It’s a pure con.
The Overpayment & Agent Scam
A buyer “accidentally” sends too much money—say, Ksh 30,000 instead of Ksh 20,000. They then panic, ask you to refund the excess via a different number (their “brother’s” number), and urge you to use a specific Pochi la Biashara agent. The initial payment is often fraudulent or will be reversed, leaving you out of pocket for the “refund” you sent.
Your Action Plan: How to Verify Every Transaction
Trust, but verify. This should be your mantra for every single Pochi la Biashara transaction. Here’s your step-by-step shield.
1. The Golden Rule: Check YOUR Official Statement
Do not trust notifications from the other party. Open your Safaricom M-Pesa menu or your bank’s mobile app. Go to the transaction history or statement. Look for the credit yourself.
- For M-Pesa: Use *234# or check your M-Pesa app.
- For banks: Use your official banking app, not SMS.
- See the exact amount, time, and sender’s number/name.
Only this is proof. Anything else is just talk.
2. Use the Paybill Number, Not Personal Number
For business, always give out your business’s official Paybill number. It’s more professional and safer. Payments to a Paybill are harder to fake and easier to track in your business account statement. It also keeps your personal number private.
If you’re buying from a small vendor, suggest paying to their Paybill. If they only have a personal number, double and triple-check the payment details before sending.
3. Enable Transaction Notifications & Alerts
Don’t just wait for an SMS. For M-Pesa, ensure your “My M-Pesa” app notifications are ON. For banks, enable instant push notifications for any credit to your account. This gives you real-time, app-based proof that can’t be easily faked with a text message editor.
The Kenyan-Specific Context: Dodging Scams from CBD to Your Duka
Scams adapt to our environment. Knowing the local context is your superpower. Let’s talk about the realities of doing business in our streets and online markets.
Matatu & Boda Boda Delivery Scams
You sell an item, the buyer says they’ll send a boda or a matatu courier with cash. They then call you posing as the rider: “Msee, nimefika na pesa, nikutumie Pochi? Tuma item kwa conductor.” They pressure you to release the goods before any payment is received.
Local Tip: The rider is NEVER the payer. Have one clear rule: Goods only leave your hand when the money is CONFIRMED in your account. Tell the rider to have the buyer call you after payment. No confirmation, no release. This happens daily along Ngong Road and Thika Road deliveries.
Seasonal Scam Spikes: January & Back-to-School
Fraudsters know when people are desperate or busy. In January (after festive spending) and during the back-to-school season, scams targeting textbook sellers, uniform vendors, and electronics sellers spike. Everyone is in a hurry, making them skip verification steps.
Be extra vigilant during these periods. The “urgent purchase for my child” story is a common hook. Slow down and follow your verification process, no matter the pressure.
Dealing with “Customer Care” Impersonators
A new scam involves someone calling you, claiming to be from “Safaricom Pochi la Biashara Support” or your bank. They say there’s a problem with your account and need your PIN or an OTP to “verify” you. This is 100% a scam.
Safaricom, banks, and legitimate institutions will NEVER ask for your M-Pesa PIN, banking password, or secret OTP code. Hang up immediately. Report the number to Safaricom’s 333 or your bank’s fraud line. This is a direct attempt to empty your entire wallet.
Advanced Safety: Settings and Habits for Power Users
If you’re running a serious side hustle or business, you need more than basics. Level up your security with these proactive steps.
Set Up a Dedicated Business Line
Consider getting a second SIM card solely for business. Register it for Pochi la Biashara. This separates your personal finances from your business cash flow. It also limits exposure if your main number is leaked in a data breach or on social media.
You can find these SIMs easily from any Safaricom shop in town, like at the Sarit Centre or along Tom Mboya Street. It’s a small cost for major security.
Regularly Review Your Transaction Limits
Log into your Pochi la Biashara portal or M-Pesa business app. Check your daily sending and withdrawal limits. Set them to a level that makes sense for your business. If you typically handle Ksh 50,000 a day, don’t have a limit of Ksh 500,000. This limits potential loss if your account is compromised.
Keep Records Like a Pro
For every transaction, note down:
- The date, time, and exact amount.
- The customer’s name/number (from the transaction details).
- What the payment was for (e.g., “Black sofa, Jiji order #123”).
Use a simple notebook or a free app like Google Sheets. This helps you reconcile your accounts, track customers, and provides evidence if a dispute arises. It’s what successful dukas in Gikomba do.
What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
If you realize you’ve been defrauded, don’t panic. Quick action can sometimes help recover funds or stop the scammer.
- Act Immediately: Call Safaricom on 100 (free from your line) or 0722 000 000. Report the fraud. Provide the phone number involved, transaction time, and amount. If the money was sent from your account, they can sometimes freeze the recipient’s account if reported fast enough.
- Report to DCI: For significant amounts, go to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and file a report. They have a cybercrime unit. Take all evidence: screenshots, phone numbers, your statement.
- Alert Your Bank: If your bank account was involved, call your bank’s 24-hour fraud hotline immediately to lock your account and stop any further transactions.
- Warn Your Community: Post about the scammer’s number (with evidence) in relevant Facebook groups like “Buyers and Sellers Kenya.” You might save someone else.
Conclusion: Stay Sharp, Keep Your Money Safe
Using Pochi la Biashara should make your life easier, not risk your savings. The key is a simple, unwavering habit: always verify the payment in your own official account before taking any action. Ignore screenshots, resist pressure, and use Paybill numbers where possible. Scammers rely on haste and confusion.
By being methodical and using the local tips we’ve shared—from dealing with boda riders to knowing the risky seasons—you can trade and transact with confidence. Protect your hustle. Share this guide with your WhatsApp business group or your friend who’s always selling online—let’s spread awareness and shut these fraudsters down.