Beware: Fraudsters Claiming to Be SHA Staff Target Kenyans

The Social Health Authority (SHA) has warned Kenyans that they should be at high alert after fraudsters masquerading as social health authority employees defrauded innocent members of society.

SHA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, made a statement on Friday, November 7, asserting that the impostors have been cheating the citizens by offering to assist them to register with SHA or fast-track services in exchange of money.

It is with great sadness and anxiety that we are informed that there are some members of the public who have fallen in the hands of criminals posing as staff of SHA.

These are the ones who are scamming unsuspecting Kenyans by assuring them that they can get registration done or expedite services at a fee.

We hold your confidence dear, and it is sad to us to know that there are malicious individuals who would think to use it in personal interest.

She explained that registration with SHA is completely free and no employee is supposed to demand payment, M-Pesa PINs, or personal data to the citizens.

The CEO encouraged the people to be extra watchful and to report to the closest police office or the official communication channels of SHA without having to delay any suspicions.

To understand, the staff of SHA will not demand money or your M-Pesa PIN to provide any services. Should you or any other person come across such persons, then report the case to the police and to SHA, using our toll-free number 147 or email the incident to us at fraud@sha.go.ke. ,” She emphasized.

She said so a few days after the arrest of four suspects suspected to be the representatives of SHA, who committed a crime of defrauding a victim up to Ksh251,000.

The suspects posed as registration officers and duped their victim into enrolling with a so-called SHA membership program, which was not real (DCI).

Then they persuaded him to give them his mobile phone, saying that it was needed in order to accomplish the process.

After a few moments, the phone of the victim rang and could not resume connection to the network.

This was when he came to realize that his Sacco savings had been gutted. Research found out that Ksh251,000 was siphoned out of his account and sent to the mobile numbers of the fraudsters.

After the complaint, Marimanti detectives went on a manhunt, which resulted in the arrest of all four suspects.

After searching their car, police found SHA-brand material, several SIM cards, and other resources that linked them to the fraudulent activity. Since then, the SHA has reiterated that it is dedicated to its responsibility of safeguarding the citizens against fraud and that all the registration and service processes are transparent and free of charge.

The power has also urged Kenyans to use the official channels of communication to get the right information about its services. As Dr. Mwangalingi restated, the mission of the SHA is to increase access of affordable healthcare to all Kenyans and as a result, he encouraged the people to avoid letting the criminal activities undermine the trust that they have in the program.