By TWV Team
Kenya is facing an alarming surge in digital fraud, with four out of five citizens reporting they were targeted by cybercriminals in recent months, according to a new report by global information and insights firm TransUnion. The TransUnion H1 2025 Update to the State of Omni-Channel Fraud reveals a worrying picture of the country’s vulnerability to cyber threats amid rapid digital adoption.
The survey, conducted between 21 November and 9 December 2024, found that 82% of Kenyans had been targeted by fraud via email, text message, phone call, or online in the three months preceding the study. Of these, 11% confirmed falling victim.
“This report underscores the urgent need for greater public awareness and more robust digital security measures,” said Amritha Reddy, Senior Director of Fraud Solutions at TransUnion Africa. With a 133.7 per cent mobile phone penetration rate due to the widespread use of multiple SIM cards, Kenya is an increasingly attractive target for fraudsters exploiting the country’s high digital dependency.
Citizens rely heavily on mobile phones for communication, banking, shopping, and accessing essential services. The most common scams include smishing (fraudulent text messages, reported by 39 per cent of respondents), followed by phishing via email, websites, or QR codes (36 per cent), and vishing (fake phone calls) at 33 per cent. While 71 per cent of Kenyans said they could spot and avoid fraud attempts, 45 per cent reported losing money to scams over the past year, a figure that Reddy says should raise pressing concerns.
“These fraudsters are no longer just opportunists; they are organised, persistent, and increasingly sophisticated,” she noted. The report identifies third-party seller scams on legitimate retail websites as the leading cause of financial loss (34 per cent), followed by unemployment fraud (26 per cent)2 and account takeovers (25 per cent).
In an unexpected shift, gaming platforms overtook logistics as the leading industry targeted by fraudsters in Kenya. Attempted fraud in the gaming sector rose by 33.8 per cent, with a suspected fraud attempt rate of 12.9 per cent in 2024. Globally, community platforms, including dating sites and online forums, recorded the highest rate of fraud attempts at 11.9 per cent, followed by video gaming (11 per cent) and retail (8 per cent). “Cybercriminals prey on the trust that exists in online communities,” Reddy said. “They exploit that environment to run scams that appear legitimate and convincing.”
Financially, the losses are significant. Kenyan respondents who reported losing money to fraud had a median loss of KSh 116,108, compared to a global median loss of KSh 226,132. More concerning, 19 per cent of respondents reported not being targeted, suggesting many may fail to recognise fraud attempts.
TransUnion, which surveyed more than 500 Kenyans and drew data from its TruValidate platform, ranked Kenya among the top African countries for digital fraud exposure, tied with Namibia and behind only South Africa. The firm urges consumers and organisations to prioritise fraud prevention.
“Businesses must adopt multi-layered fraud detection strategies using device, identity, and behavioural analytics,” Reddy advised. “The ability to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent activity is crucial in safeguarding consumers and preserving trust in digital platforms.”
As Kenya’s digital economy expands, so does its exposure to cyber threats. The message from experts is clear: digital growth must go hand-in-hand with digital security.
