🚨12 COMMON SCAMS THAT TARGET YOUNG PEOPLE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)

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young Kenyan reviewing suspicious online messages and avoiding scams.


🧠 INTRO: YOU’RE A TARGET, NOT A FOOL

Young people are smart, tech-savvy—and unfortunately, prime targets for online scammers. From flashy job offers to fake scholarships and “easy money” investments, the digital world is filled with traps that look tempting, especially if you're hustling to earn.

This post isn’t here to scare you. It’s here to equip you. We’ll break down the most common online scams that target students, jobseekers, and young professionals—and how to spot them before it’s too late.


🚫 12 COMMON SCAMS THAT TARGET YOUNG PEOPLE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)

1. Fake Online Jobs Promising “Work From Home” Riches

👀 What It Looks Like:

“Earn KSh 50,000/week working 2 hours a day from home!” These often appear in social media ads or shady Telegram groups.

📌 Real Example: Esther, a university student in Eldoret, paid KSh 1,000 for a “training manual” only to discover the company disappeared after that.

✔️ How to Avoid It:

Legit jobs don’t ask for upfront payments.

Cross-check the company on LinkedIn or Glassdoor.

Search "[Company Name] scam" before applying.


2. Pyramid Schemes Disguised as “Investment Plans”

👀 What It Looks Like:

“You invest KSh 5,000, invite 2 friends, and earn KSh 20,000 by next week!” If it sounds too easy, it’s a trap.

📌 Real Example: A youth-led “crypto” group in Nairobi folded after hundreds paid in. Only early recruits made money.

✔️ How to Avoid It:

If you earn by recruiting others, not through a product or real service—it's a scam.

Check if the platform is registered with CMA Kenya.


3. Online Loan Apps That Steal Your Data

👀 What It Looks Like:

“Instant mobile loans with no CRB checks!” But behind the scenes, they access your contacts, photos, and even threaten you when you delay.

📌 Real Example: After borrowing KSh 2,000, George’s family and employer received shaming texts from the loan app.

✔️ How to Avoid It:

Use regulated loan providers like NCBA Loop, M-Shwari, or KCB M-Pesa.

Read Play Store reviews carefully before downloading.


4. Fake Scholarships & Study Abroad Scams

👀 What It Looks Like:

“You’ve been selected for a full scholarship to Canada! Just pay KSh 3,000 for processing.”

📌 Real Example: A popular “agency” promised placements in Hungary, took money, and ghosted clients after 2 weeks.

✔️ How to Avoid It

No real scholarship asks for application fees.

Use legit sources like DAAD, Chevening, or verified university websites.


5. Romance & Dating Scams

👀 What It Looks Like:

A sweet person you met on Instagram or Tinder suddenly needs “urgent help”—hospital bills, travel money, etc.

📌 Real Example: A Kenyan TikTok user lost over KSh 30,000 to a "UK soldier" who claimed he was stuck at the airport.

✔️ How to Avoid It:

Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.

Do a reverse image search of their photos (use Google Images).


6. Instagram Shops That Never Deliver

👀 What It Looks Like:

Cheap iPhones, Jordan sneakers, or makeup deals “only on Instagram.” No reviews, no returns.

📌 Real Example: Shiro sent KSh 4,500 for a wig and got blocked immediately after payment.

✔️ How to Avoid It:

Ask for a business license, reviews, or MPESA till number verification.

Use platforms with buyer protection like Jumia, Kilimall, or Masoko.


7. Impersonation of Government or NGO Jobs

👀 What It Looks Like:

“Apply now to work at NHIF or WHO. Pay KSh 1,000 to secure your slot.”

📌 Real Example: A fake “Ministry of Health internship” scam in Kisumu charged applicants KSh 2,000 for registration.


✔️ How to Avoid It:

Government jobs are posted on mygov.go.ke and don’t charge any fees.

Call the official hotline before paying anything.


8. Freelance Job Scams on WhatsApp/Telegram

👀 What It Looks Like:

“Get paid to type PDF documents! We’ll send a test—pay KSh 200 to get started.”

📌 Real Example: Brian joined a “typing job” group, paid the fee, did fake tests, and was told he made errors—no pay followed.

✔️ How to Avoid It:

Use real platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or Remotasks.

Never pay to be employed.


9. Investment “Mentors” or Fake Forex Coaches

👀 What It Looks Like:

DMs from people showing off big profits, screenshots, luxury cars, asking you to “invest KSh 10K to learn trading.”

📌 Real Example: A Telegram forex coach conned over 200 people out of savings before vanishing.

✔️ How to Avoid It:

Real coaches show licenses or links to platforms like CMA Kenya.

Check for red flags like "secret strategies" or urgency to join now.


10. Phishing Links in Emails or DMs

👀 What It Looks Like:

“You’ve won a smartphone!” or “Click here to reset your account.” These lead to pages that steal your password or MPESA PIN.

📌 Real Example: A fake Safaricom email led a student to a clone site that harvested his details and drained his M-Pesa.

✔️ How to Avoid It:

Never click on suspicious links from strangers.

Always double-check the website URL—it should start with https:// and look official.


11. Fake NGO Fundraisers or Donations

👀 What It Looks Like:

“Help this sick child get surgery! Send your support to this number.” But the photo is stolen from another case.

📌 Real Example: A group posed as a cancer fund for children and collected over KSh 500,000 before being exposed by a Twitter user.

✔️ How to Avoid It:

Always verify with legitimate charity organizations like Red Cross Kenya, GiveDirectly, or Wellspring.

Use PesaCheck to verify claims.


12. Crypto & NFT Rug Pulls

👀 What It Looks Like:

“Invest in this new crypto token—guaranteed 1000% returns in 3 days!” You buy in, the founders vanish.

📌 Real Example: A local group launched a token on Telegram, hyped it up, collected funds, then deleted all channels.

✔️ How to Avoid It:

Crypto is never guaranteed—avoid anyone who says it is.

Stick to regulated exchanges like Binance, Paxful, or Yellow Card, and only invest what you can afford to lose.


✅ QUICK RECAP: HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Never pay to get hired.

Do reverse image and background checks.

Use official or verified platforms.

Watch out for urgency, secrecy, and vague contacts.

If it feels off, it probably is.


🔗 RELATED POSTS ON THIS BLOG YOU CAN CHECK ON:

Smart Side Hustles You Can Start Today (Even as a Beginner)

How to Start Saving on a Tight Budget

Financial Freedom: What It Really Means and How to Get There


🛡️ FINAL TAKEAWAY

Being targeted doesn’t mean you’re gullible—it means scammers are getting smarter. But so can you. Stay alert, question too-good-to-be-true deals, and speak up if you

 think something’s off. Your digital safety is part of your financial success.

 ðŸ’¬ “Your online safety is just as important as your bank balance. Guard both wisely.”



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