The employment rate in Kenya stands at 6.6 per cent according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). This has increased the desperation of Kenyans seeking employment.
A survey conducted by AFP Fact Check uncovered the various tricks online scammers are employing to rip off naive job seekers on the internet.
The survey showed that not only do these scammers attract Kenyans, but also prey on other desperate unemployed individuals across the continent, luring them with lucrative job offers that are hard to resist.
One of the people interviewed, Job Mwangi, shared his experience looking for employment through online ads and links. Mwangi had passed all the required tests for a field assistant position allegedly at the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
“Everything about the job posting seemed legit. I was asked to pay Ksh1,000 for medical and radiology tests. But the test didn’t happen since I was told that they would be done at the UN offices on the interview day,” Mwangi explained.
After losing his money, Mwangi - among other unsuspecting job seekers - went to seek clarification from the UN offices only to realize that they had been tricked.
Mwangi is among many Kenyans who send money without hesitation, hoping it will help catapult them to life-changing opportunities.
According to the survey, online scammers use links and ads to trick naive individuals into filling in their personal information which is later used in swindling them.
An additional trick the fraudsters use includes promising ‘easy and quick’ money. This is a common trick that has attracted the attention of UN agencies warning people to be on high alert.
“The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training) or other fees, or request information on applicants’ bank accounts,” UNEP stated on its website.
In addition, the scammers use the logos of reputable firms to increase their credibility and help clear doubt from those seeking employment.
AFP Fact Check noted that the fake job postings follow a similar pattern. They have short deadlines, promise high salaries, and frequently include a hyperlink to an external online platform requesting personal information.
In 2019, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) urged Kenyans to be keen and avoid transacting online with any organizations.
