A recent incident in Homa Bay County has highlighted the growing concern of WhatsApp funeral scams in Kenya. A young man who died in Nairobi in September was buried on October 6, but his family is still reeling from the loss. Not only did they lose their son, but they also lost over Sh180,000 that was collected by a man claiming to be a friend of the deceased through a WhatsApp group. The family had set up an M-Pesa Pay Bill number to receive contributions, but the man allegedly failed to deposit the funds.
The mother of the deceased, who wished to remain anonymous, said she had been part of the WhatsApp group and had even hosted the man who claimed to be a friend of her son. She described how he had accompanied the family to the mortuary and had even taken photos of the coffin and mourners on the burial day. However, when she asked him to deposit the contributions into the family's M-Pesa Pay Bill, he made excuses and eventually disappeared. The family is now left to pick up the pieces and try to recover the lost funds.
This incident is not an isolated case. In July, a family in Kenya reported that a man had joined their WhatsApp fundraiser and collected several days' worth of contributions meant for their loved one's burial. The man allegedly led daily contribution challenges and collected money directly from mourners, who thought it was going to the family. When the treasurer asked him to hand over the funds, he blocked her and left the group. These cases highlight the need for families to be cautious when setting up online fundraising campaigns.
The problem of WhatsApp funeral scams has become so prevalent that even prominent families are not immune. In October, the committee organizing the first anniversary of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's death warned Kenyans against giving money to anyone fundraising in the family's name. The country's most vulnerable populations, including low-income earners, are often targeted by scammers who take advantage of their good nature.
Criminologist Maurice Matheka, who is also the managing director of City and General Security Consulting Centre, has offered some solutions to the problem. He advises contributors to do their due diligence before contributing to any online fundraising campaign. This includes checking the group's member list to ensure that there are family members or authorized individuals present. He also suggests that families should centralize all contributions to one phone number and appoint a treasurer who is accountable for every cent.
Matheka warns that those who pocket the money could face charges of obtaining money by false pretences, and even forgery and fraud if they impersonated a relative or lied that they had been appointed. He emphasizes the importance of families taking charge of the fundraising process and being transparent about where the money is going. By doing so, they can prevent scammers from taking advantage of their good nature.
The issue of WhatsApp funeral scams highlights the need for Kenyans to be vigilant when contributing to online fundraising campaigns. With the rise of online scams, it is essential for individuals to be cautious and do their due diligence before contributing to any campaign. By working together, Kenyans can prevent these scams and ensure that their contributions go towards supporting their loved ones in times of need.
Key points
- WhatsApp groups set up for funeral contributions have become a breeding ground for scammers, leaving grieving families with financial losses and emotional distress.
- Criminologist Maurice Matheka advises contributors to do their due diligence before contributing to any online fundraising campaign.
- Families should centralize all contributions to one phone number and appoint a treasurer who is accountable for every cent to prevent scammers from taking advantage.
