These text messages claiming to originate from Posta Kenya and suspending parcel deliveries because of unclear delivery addresses are a SCAM.
In one of the messages, a client is informed through a website that their delivery was unsuccessful because their delivery address was not clear. Hence, their package has been returned to Posta Kenya’s operation centre.
“Please update your address, we will ship again on 28/09/2023,” the website alerts the client.
However, a caveat is provided that for redelivery, the client has to pay a fee.
“For redelivery, we need to charge some service fees. Your package will be redelivered after payment. Lump sum: 43.76 KES,” the website adds.
A different customer is also warned that if they don’t update their delivery address in 12 hours the company will return the package. A link is attached at the end of the message. We typed the URL on Google but it led us to the Google search landing page.
The Star Fact-Checker in a quest to ascertain the claims proceeded to confirm from the corporation’s official communication channels (X) and came across a notice dismissing the messages and tracking website as a “scam”.
Posta Kenya, which is responsible for postal services in Kenya has warned Kenyans to be on the lookout for conmen lest they fall prey to their scheme.
“The public and consumers are notified that there is a text message from https://mkoepro.com/M7XRe circulating purporting to be from Posta Kenya,” Posta Kenya said.
According to the notice posted on its verified X account, unknown fraudsters are masquerading as the postal service to fleece unsuspecting Posta customers and members of the public.
The cons are believed to have taken advantage of the company’s delivery services to craft texts with the intent of extorting Posta customers.
Currently, Posta Kenya offers services that see postal items, mail, and parcels originating from the Post Office delivered to the customer’s doorstep.
The company is, therefore, urging Kenyans not to interact or give their personal details to any suspicious account.
Instead, the parastatal has encouraged the public to report such incidents through their official line at +254719072600, via WhatsApp or by making a phone call.
“You can also reach us on X @Posta_Kenya and on our official Facebook page: Postal Corporation of Kenya”, Posta added.
Posta Kenya added that the matter is under investigation.
“Kindly ignore any message insinuating that your parcel has been suspended. This is a fraudulent message which we are investigating,” Posta Kenya warned its customers.
This fact check was published by The Star Factcheck desk with technical support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck newsdesk, through the African Fact-Checking Alliance (AFCA).