One would expect that apps that are purchased or downloaded from official market places are legitimate and non-malicious. But that's not always the case.
A new study by a security research firm reveals that thousands of apps in top app stores are running a highly sophisticated and potentially harmful advertising fraud. By downloading apps from unknown developers, one essentially gives them free reign to do whatever...
... they want with his/her phone.
The most common form of these applications are fake loan apps.
They request for deposits via short codes promising customers that they will get instant loans. They also charge a certain amount of money to ‘register’ or process the said loans.
Once a loan application is done, one is asked to pay some more money to get the loan.
These fraudulent mobile loans applications have the following characteristics among others:
* They request for registration fee for the service.
* They are never concerned with how the borrower will repay the loan.They never bother about credit scores or collateral while claiming to give out loans.
N/B Paying fees for borrowing a loan can be a normal thing with legitimate lenders but its always deducted from the loan...
... acquired. Scammers ask for fees before giving out loans.
* They don't have registered physical addresses and contacts.
Their businesses are not registered with county or national governments.
* Have fake or non-existent telephone numbers, websites and addresses.
* They don't have their own registered Paybill numbers. Their phone numbers are ever offline.
* Might mimic mobile applications for financial institutions such as banks.
* Extend these fraud schemes to social media sites.
* Do not have customer care helplines or mechanisms.
To protect yourself from these scams;
* Do not disclose personal details such as PIN, bank accounts details, usernames & passwords.
* Do not install applications from the Internet if you are not sure of their source. This is not limited to fraudulent mobile loans Apps.
* Be wary of “too good to be true” applications on the Internet.
* Report such fraudulent apps to the respective online stores.
* Carry out checks by reading the applications reviews on the respective online stores.
* Report cases of fraud to the Police for investigation.
SIPHONING SYNDICATE AMBUSHED, TONS OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS IMPOUNDED
As the fight against trade in adulterated fuel & increased cases of siphoning continues, detectives have arrested 41 suspects found trading in the illegal business at an undeveloped yard behind Shell petrol
station off Lunga Road, Nairobi.
Five tankers found at the site where over 17,020 ltr of diesel, 6,110 ltr of petrol, four generators, 30 drums, siphoning pipes and jerrycans were recovered have also been impounded, with DCI Crime Scene Investigators and the Energy and Petroleum
Regulatory Authority (EPRA) officials documenting the scene.
Acting on intelligence, the Operation Support Unit team recently deployed to curb the unbecoming trend surrounded the site, rounding up the numbers who were trading with impunity.
SCAMMERS IN SH2.85B GOLD SCAM ARRESTED IN KILELESHWA
The DCI Operations Support Unit (OSU) has arrested several suspects involved in a mega gold scam that targeted two Malaysian nationals, and recovered multiple tools of trade involved in the Sh2.85 billion botched fraudulence.
Having received intelligence report through Kilimani Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer on the scamming deal planned against the two foreign men, the OSU deployed a surveillance team after the two victims jetted in the country.
Reportedly, the scammers using Rock Africa
Minier company had contacted the complainants as from October 19, 2023 through a social media platform. The suspects had alleged to transact with them 500Kg of Gold at USD 19 million equivalent to Sh2.85 billion. In the deal, the complainants had already sent USD 6,350 to members
LANDS OFFICIAL BEHIND BARS AS POLICE HUNT FOR FORMER PC OVER LAND FRAUD
The Ass. Deputy Land Administrator Mr. Andrew Aseri Kirungu is in prison custody following his arrest in Kandara, Murang’a County & subsequent arraignment before Milimani Chief Magistrates’ Court on Dec 22,
2023 where he faced charges of Conspiracy to defraud, Procuring registration of land by false pretence and Abuse of office.
The Ministry of Lands officer is charged alongside former Provincial Commissioner Davis Nathan Chelogoi, after criminal investigations found them culpable
of land fraud involving a Sh1.3 billion parcel of land located at Nairobi's Loresho area.
In the case that has trudged on the corridors of justice since 2009 involving a 7.390 hactares parcel of land, several parties lay claim of the property Title Land Reference (LR) No.18485
The processing of Police Clearance Certificates at DCI Headquarters has been fully restored after a duration of system upgrade.
The office of the Principal Criminal Registrar (PCR) has effected pragmatic measures to clear the backlog
resulting from the temporary system hitches, which saw the unit resort to manual processing to address dire cases.
We highly regret the delays experienced over the period, and assure our clients of enhanced and expeditious services.
The PCR further wishes to clarify that
applicants no longer need to book fingerprinting dates on the ecitizen portal, but must select their preferred fingerprinting centres based on convenience.
More so, to avoid instances of return to sender, applicants are reminded to ensure that the ID card copies attached to the
The attention of the DCI has been drawn to misinformation and incitement to violence through the abuse of social media platforms, under the veil of freedom of expression. Regrettably, this has caused fear and panic among peace-loving Kenyans.
Whereas the freedom of expression is
guaranteed in our constitution, its enjoyment should not be used as a tool to promote and justify mayhem and lawlessness.
In this regard, the DCI wishes to advise that online incitement to violence falls out of the spectrum of constitutional protection and is criminal as per
Sections 22 and 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act of 2018.
The DCI shall continue to execute its mandate as prescribed by law, and will process any law breakers for prosecution without fear, favour or ill will.
We further commend all law-abiding Kenyans who have
A robbery suspect who had sought refuge at a hospital in Kuria West, Migori County is lucky to be alive after police saved him from an irate mob of boda boda riders that was baying for his blood.
Moments before the rescue, Mwita Daudi Marwa, 45, who is believed to be a notorious motorcycle robber had leapt into Mother & Child hospital and taken refuge in a delivery room, much to the consternation of parturient mothers who were heavy in labour.
Torn between releasing the suspect to the irate nduthi-men or having him in the facility at that critical moment, the nurses on duty chose to save the man’s life from the bloodthirsty mob that was threatening to storm into the hospital. Luckily, a contingent of police officers