If you’re in Kenya and have come across loan offers from ‘Peterson Mwiruri’ on Facebook, be warned – they are not genuine. Fraudsters often impersonate well-known individuals to mislead the public but lately, there has been a rise of independent accounts attempting to lure people into parting with their money.
One such instance is a online post from a Facebook account called Peterson Mwiruri claiming to provide loans within minutes via Mpesa. Such advertisements have been posted multiple times in several Facebook groups influencing numerous users to enquire about the alleged loans.
The said ads can be foundhere..and..so on (keeping the original order and replacing “here” with “..and so on”).
But does this account stand up to scrutiny? Let’s find out.
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Don’t Get Trapped in the ‘Activation Fee’ Scam
The account’s lack of activity, coupled with its spam-like behavior of posting ads across multiple groups, raises a red flag. Any reputable financial institution would carefully manage its online presence and not be seen posting sloppy adverts on various Facebook groups.
Another cause for concern is the absence of a linked website. The scammers ask interested users to approach them via WhatsApp, which is unconventional. Legitimate loan services maintain operational websites or apps for customer engagement.
Our investigation revealed that the scammers request for an “activation fee” to access the loans. This tactic involves fleecing victims of their money and then blocking them on WhatsApp. Scammers can defraud several unsuspecting victims using this method, considering the extensive reach of the Facebook groups they post in.
This ‘Peterson Mwiruri’ Facebook account is falsely advertising fraudulent loans. Be sure to follow our guide on protecting yourself from similar scams right here.
FAQs
P>The primary strategy of scammers is impersonating well-known figures or creating stand-alone accounts. They post enticing offers to trick individuals into sending them money under the guise of processing fees or activation charges. Once the victim sends the money, the fraudster typically blocks them or disappears.
Evidence of scams includes poorly crafted posts, lack of significant account activity, or using messaging platforms like WhatsApp for transactions. Most legitimate institutions have functioning websites or apps for customer engagement. Always be skeptical of upfront charges for loans, as this is a common scamming tactic.
If you discover a loan scam, it’s important to report the account to the social media platform. Sharing information about the scam with friends and family can also help raise awareness and prevent others from falling victim. Always be cautious and do your research when you come across loan offers on social platforms.
