"Wrong transfer", refund or government benefit: warning signs and what to do
What to do
If someone says they sent money to you by mistake, check your actual balance in the app, not the SMS. Government allowances never require a fee or your PIN.
Warning signs
- Classic "I sent money to you by mistake" message.
- Offers a government benefit, stipend or refund.
- Offers a government subsidy or grant.
- Talks about "reversing" a transaction or sends you to an agent to fix one.
How this scam has played out
Fake "reversal" and fake mobile-money messages
Safaricom warns M-Pesa users about fake or old transaction messages, fake reversal instructions that send people to an agent, fake staff and SIM-swap fraud. The same tricks work on bKash and Nagad users: always check the balance inside the app, never the SMS.
Source: Safaricom fraud awareness
Received a message or offer like this? Check it before you pay.
Check it nowHelp and helplines
- National emergency 999
- Police Cyber Support for Women 01320-000888
- Visa check for Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (Ami Probashi, paid) 16768
This guide is a warning about a pattern; it does not accuse any particular person or organisation.