Here at RemPesa we take all reasonable steps and have a number of security measures in place to ensure that your money is safe online. However, the internet can never be deemed 100% secure. We will do everything that we can to ensure that your money is safe when you send it with us, but we also want all our clients be aware of common fraud schemes that operate online so that our customers may protect themselves from online fraud.

If you have ever received an email from someone that you do not know asking you to send money to someone in need, or a charity, or you have been contacted by someone telling you that you have won a money prize, but you need to first provide some of your banking information for the prize to be sent to you then these are all common examples of online fraud.

Scammers and criminals will pretend to be someone they are not to try and convince you to send money to them. The team at RemPesa has complied some useful advice on what to look out for and how to avoid money transfer scams when you are sending money over the internet.

1. Scammers target money transfers

Using an online bank or a money transfer company is an easy and convenient way to send money abroad, but it should only ever be used for people that you know and trust. When customers send money to people that they know and trust, then there are rarely any problems. However, sending money to a stranger or someone that you do not know is always a risk as they could be a scam artist.

Even if you are using a safe and secure platform like RemPesa, you could still be vulnerable and exposed to scam artists operating online trying to get you to send money to them. Once money has been sent overseas to someone you do not know, and it turns out to be a scam, it can be very difficult to get it back.

2. How to protect yourself against scams

If you follow a few simple guidelines when using any money transfer platforms then you can help to protect yourself against fraud.

1. Never send money to someone that you have never met in person.
2. If you feel that you need to send money to someone that you have never met, then try to avoid sending large amounts of money all at once.
3. Be wary of people telling you that you must send them money by a certain deadline – this is typical scammer behaviour.
4. Always use a reputable and secure money transfer platform such as RemPesa.

3. Common scams operating today

Below are some examples of common scams which exist online today:

1. Love scam: Have you fallen in lives with someone that you have met online but who lives abroad? Have they asked you to send them money to help with a relocation, injury or recent illness? Be very careful as this could be a scam. Scammers take advantage of people’s compassion, integrity and generosity. They do this on a professional basis and can be very convincing. Do not send money to someone that you do not know, even if they claim to be the love of your life.
2. Quick money bait: If someone contacts you about an amazing international investment deal, has suggested that you invest in business overseas, or they are offering you an amazing deal that seems too good to be true, then be careful because it probably is. Scammers take advantage of the lure of get rich quick schemes and will try and get you to give away important information in lure of a cash prize. If you have never met these people in person, then do not believe it.
3. Charity scam:  Scammers will go to any lengths to get you to send them money, and this includes pretending to be an orphanage overseas or some other charitable cause. Always double check that a charity is a registered and legitimate charity before you proceed with any donations.

If you have any questions or concerns over the legitimacy of a transfer, then do not hesitate to contact us and someone will look into this for you as soon as possible.