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Scam alert! Nairobi governor Sonko not ‘giving’ loans, motorbikes and school fees to Kenyans on Facebook

Mike Sonko, governor of Kenya’s Nairobi city county, is known for both his flamboyance and his generosity, in the capital and other parts of the country.

But is he also “giving loans” to the people of Kenya?

In January 2019 the Facebook page Mike Sonko Loans 2019 posted an offer.

“We are giving loans to Kenyan people only if you want a loan like and share my page 3 times then inbox me for your loan,” it reads.

The post has been shared over 400 times and continues to attract comments into September.

In April a different Facebook page, also called Mike Sonko Loans 2019, posted a similar loan offer.

Other Facebook posts claim Sonko is variously giving out free motorbikes and school fee vouchers

But are any of the posts legit?



Sonko warns Kenyans


Sonko has repeatedly warned that the offers are scams, in a series of Facebook posts from 22 January onwards.

In March, a video posted on Sonko’s official Facebook page records a phone conversation with the scammers. The person on the other end of the line says he is Sonko’s “personal assistant”, and asks for both the caller’s personal details and a KSh3,200 “processing fee”.

In the post, Sonko’s team warns:

It has come to my attention that a highly digital group of conmen operating under Sonko Rescue Team Kenya has been conning unsuspecting Kenyans of their hard earned money. They are operating a Website, Facebook Page which is sponsored to reach more followers. They also lift photos from the Governor’s Facebook and use them in their con game.

According to information gathered so far, the group requests for a non-refundable registration fee of Sh300, they pretend to offer loans, motorbikes and school fees vouchers.

They further claim that through Equity Bank and Safaricom, registered members can borrow between Sh1,000 and a maximum Sh50,000.

Their M-PESA number is 0707408830 and 0715721394 while the recruiting officer Nelson Opakwa.

I wish to take this opportunity to warn Kenyans to watch out and never to send any money to these conmen. In any case you are approached, please report to the police or CID or to my office for quick action.

Governor Sonko isn’t giving away loans, motorbikes or school fees. It’s a scam. – Grace Gichuhi




 

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