Fuliza is Safaricom’s M-PESA overdraft service permitting users to finish a payment, send out cash, purchase airtime or pay an expense even when their M-PESA balance is low, approximately a limitation they have actually been authorized for.
Fuliza is offered with Safaricom’s partner banks, NCBA Bank Kenya and KCB Bank Kenya, which bring the loaning threat. Safaricom charges a one-off 1%gain access to charge and an everyday upkeep cost of in between KSh1 and KSh30, depending upon the quantity obtained.
Safaricom introduced Fuliza ya Biashara with KCB in 2023 so company owner can utilize the overdraft too, and raised consumer limitations in January 2026. By March 2026, Fuliza had actually entered into daily life for countless Kenyans utilized by 17.7 million M-PESA consumers, up from 7.9 million the year before. Fuliza dispensations increased 49% to KSh1.47 trillion over the exact same year and the typical loan had to do with KSh218, which indicates fast top-ups for day-to-day requirements instead of huge loans.
Why Fraudsters Target Fuliza
Due to the fact that 17.7 million M-PESA clients have actually utilized Fuliza and obtained over KSh1.47 trillion, scammers see that scale and see chance. When countless individuals depend on Fuliza, a pledge to “double your limitation” reaches a prepared audience. Keep in mind: your limitation is set by Safaricom and its partner banks, not by an advertisement, a page or a complete stranger who requests a cost.
Envision you are scrolling through your phone after a long day. A video appears. A well-dressed guy, who looks and seems like a senior business executive, speaks calmly into the cam. Authorities logo designs stumble upon the screen. He reveals that your Fuliza limitation will double, or that a little deposit will open huge returns. A brilliant “Learn more” button sits simply listed below the video.
It looks genuine. It sounds genuine. It is not.
Quick Generative AI Tools
This is the brand-new face of scams. With generative AI tools, wrongdoers can copy an individual’s face and voice, then sew them into slick video advertisements. They include real-looking Safaricom and M-PESA branding and send you to cloned websites developed to take your cash, your PIN or your individual information.
The bright side is you do not require to be a tech specialist to remain safe. You just require a practice. We call it Stop, Think, Act/VerifyThis is not a theoretical, deepfake rip-offs are currently striking Kenyans. Fact-checkers and security scientists have actually currently recorded the pattern in Kenya.
- A phony financial investment interview. In 2025, Africa Check taken a look at a Facebook advertisement that appeared to reveal a widely known Kenyan television reporter talking to a business owner about an”financial investment chance.” The initial interview, from August 2024, had to do with politics. The advertisement assured KSh130,000 a week from a KSh32,000 start. Africa Check discovered a minimum of 12 active variations in the Facebook Ads Library and more than 286,000 views.
- Phony Fuliza pages. Africa Check has actually likewise exposed Facebook pages declaring they can increase Fuliza overdraft limitations, and a phony “Fuliza Loans” page whose contact number might not be discovered on Safaricom’s site.
- A growing pattern. In February 2026, cybersecurity company ESET cautioned that deepfake-driven financial investment scams is a leading danger for Kenya.
The scammers utilize a relied on face, a huge pledge and a link requesting more information action by action. The information modification, however the structure does not.
Why deepfake rip-offs work
Conventional rip-offs were simple to find as the frausters might have a severely spelled SMS, a weird number, an awkward story. Deepfakes utilize things we rely on most such as a familiar face and voice.
- Obtained authority. When a recognized leader appears to state something, we presume it should hold true.
- Produced seriousness. “Today just.” “Limited slots.” “Your limitation will be reset in 10 minutes.” Pressure closes down mindful thinking.
- Tempting guarantees. Doubled Fuliza limitations, complimentary giveaways, ensured returns. Everybody desires great news about cash.
Anatomy of a deepfake rip-off: 5 relocations from advertisement to empty wallet
- The bait. A sponsored video reveals a familiar face revealing excellent news about cash.
- The hook. A “Learn more” button, a WhatsApp link or a kind welcomes you to act “before it ends.”
- The clone. The link opens a page mimicing a genuine brand name. It requests for your telephone number, ID number, and in some cases your PIN or a one-time code.
- The charge. You are informed to pay a little “activation,” “processing” or “confirmation” cost. The quantity is kept low so it feels safe.
- The capture. More costs follow, or your information are utilized somewhere else. When you stop paying, the page vanishes.
Every relocation depends upon you continuing. Stopping at relocation a couple of breaks the chain, which is why Stop Comes.
Action 1: STOP
Never ever act upon seriousness produced by an online advertisement or an unknown voice call.
Genuine deals from genuine business do not disappear in 10 minutes. Seriousness is a method, not a due date. When you feel the pull to act:
- Do not click the “Learn more” button or any link in the advertisement.
- Do not share your M-PESA PIN, OTP, ID number or any individual information.
- Do not send out any “activation,” “processing” or “confirmation” cost.
A helpful technique: put the phone down for 2 minutes. Fraudsters dislike hold-up, due to the fact that the longer you wait, the most likely you are to question the deal.
Action 2: THINK
Ask yourself: does this build up? Utilize our basic Macho, Masikio, Akili (Eyes, Ears, Mind) check.
Macho (Eyes): see the face
- Mismatched lips and words. Does the mouth drag the voice or move unusually?
- A stiff face or weird blinking. Deepfakes typically blink insufficient, excessive, or look “frozen.”
- Fuzzy or flickering edges around the hair, jaw and glasses.
- Distorted hands or a moving background.
- Pasted-on logo designs. Branding laid over a video does not make it main.
Masikio (Ears): listen to the voice
- A robotic or flat pitch. Genuine individuals differ their tone. Cloned voices frequently sound even and monotone.
- Odd stops briefly or a stitched-together rhythm.
- Aggressive language: “Act now,” “do not lose out.”
Akili (Mind): concern the deal
- Is it unrealistically generous? Totally free cash, doubled limitations and ensured returns are traditional bait.
- Who is actually speaking? A paid advertisement from an unknown page is not a main statement.
- What do they desire from you? A PIN, an ID number, a cost or a link click are all warnings.
An easy guideline: a Fuliza limitation is not something you can purchase or “unlock” by paying a charge or following a link in an advertisement.
Misconceptions and truths about Fuliza and M-PESA uses
Action 3: ACT/ VERIFY
Examine just main Safaricom channels, or call consumer care, before making any deal.
- The My Safaricom appdownloaded from your main app shop.
- The main site: safaricom.co.ke. Type it yourself. Never ever utilize a link from an advertisement.
- The M-PESA menu on your phone (* 234 #).
- Consumer care: dial 100 (PrePay) or 200 (PostPay) from your Safaricom line.
- Confirmed Safaricom social networks pages. Search for the main confirmation badge.
Keep in mind: Safaricom personnel will never ever request for your M-PESA PIN, SIM passcodes or passwords. Pin yako, siri yako.
Beware with call too
- Safaricom’s released assistance states its main outgoing client care number is 0722 000 000which even then personnel will not request your PIN or individual information.
- If somebody calls from any other number declaring to be Safaricom, end the call and dial 100 or 200 yourself.
- Never ever follow guidelines from an unidentified caller to call codes, turn off your phone or go to a representative.
Cloned voices and the household code word
Scammers can clone a voice from a brief audio clip. A call from “your boy” or “your sis” in an emergency situation, requesting for cash today, might be a replica. Concur a household code word that just your close circle understands, hang up and recall on the number you have actually conserved, and forward rip-off texts to 333
What would you do?
Currently clicked, shared information or sent out cash?
Do not panic and do not feel ashamed. Smart, cautious individuals get captured by persuading rip-offs. What matters is acting rapidly.
- Call client care on 100 or 200 and describe what took place.
- Report the scams by forwarding the message and the number to 333or utilize the report choice in the My Safaricom app.
- Modification your M-PESA PIN instantly. Do not recycle an old one.
- Inspect your M-PESA declaration for deals you do not acknowledge.
- Report to the authorities The event is on record.
Talk with individuals most at threat
Fraudsters target individuals who are hectic, relying on or brand-new to digital tools. Take 5 minutes today to share the 3-step guideline with moms and dads and grandparents, youths who invest long hours on social networks, small company owners lured by “increased limitation” or “financial investment” deals, and your household and neighborhood WhatsApp groups. A single forwarded message can conserve somebody’s cost savings.
Regularly asked concerns
Is the video of a leader in my feed genuine?
Deal with any paid video guaranteeing cash as suspect. Run the Macho, Masikio, Akili check, then validate on a main Safaricom channel before doing anything.
How do I understand a site is the genuine Safaricom?
Type safaricom.co.ke into your web browser yourself, or utilize the My Safaricom app. Never ever depend on a link from an advertisement, SMS or WhatsApp message.
Can I pay to raise my Fuliza limitation?
No. No advertisement, page or representative can raise a limitation in return for a cost. Deals like this are frauds.
I currently entered my PIN or an OTP. What now?
Call 100 or 200 right away, alter your M-PESA PIN, and inspect your declaration.
Does reporting actually assist?
Yes. Forwarding a fraud message and number to 333 assists Safaricom flag the number and track scams patterns. Report even when you did not lose cash.
Quick recommendation. STOP: neglect the seriousness. THINK: lips, voice and too-good guarantees. ACT/VERIFY: main Safaricom channels just. NEVER share your PIN. REPORT frauds to 333.
Lawbreakers can copy a face, a voice and a logo design. They can not copy your practice of stopping, believing and confirming for that reason before you do anything. Jiulize kama ni ukweli. Stop. Believe. Act/Verify. #JiulizeKamaNiUkweli
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