This archive report was first published on 12 August 2019.
On June 14, George Omondi opened a bank account in Kisumu West, but little did he know that his financial security was about to be compromised. The fraudsters, who claimed to be working for the bank, began by calling him and asking questions, then sent him several codes and politely asked if he had received them.
Over the next few days, Omondi deposited sums into the account on June 15, June 16, and June 17. However, just a day after the third deposit, the fraudsters struck, making four successive transactions using M-Pesa, leaving Omondi with a mere Sh1,151.
According to bank documents, the fraudsters first made two withdrawals of Sh69,999 each through M-Pesa transfer to phone number 0710924109. The following day, they withdrew another Sh69,999 through phone number 0717316413 and a final withdrawal of Sh20,000 the same day on phone number 0710924109.
Omondi confronted the bank managers who had helped him open the account, but they were of little help. "They asked me to write a complaint letter, which I did with speed. The branch manager told me investigations could take up to eight months," he said, adding: "I then went to report the matter to the police, who were also reluctant to help."
One of the bank's branch managers, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Standard that they knew about the case but had referred it to the lender's forensic investigators. "I am not allowed to discuss anything fraud. Kindly call our forensic department in Nairobi," she said.
Omondi, who is also nursing road accident injuries, insists he is a victim of fraudsters working closely with some bank employees. "The crooks have finished me. I had just started the livestock business. My world has crumbled," he laments.
