The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has released a public notice warning about individuals posing as government officials to deceive and steal from Kenyan citizens.
The Bureau, according to the notice, has received numerous complaints raised against the aforementioned organisation by retailers across the country.
These complaints range from invasion of business premises, seizure of goods, on-the-spot fines, and solicitation of bribes, to arrests and detention of the individuals in charge of the retail premises with the aim of extorting ransom money from them.
According to KEBS, these imposters are associated with a private company called Multi-Works and Rights Enforcements Co. Ltd, which claims to be a consumer rights protection organisation.
The fraudsters falsely claim affiliation with KEBS and trick people into believing they are conducting inspections of retail stores purportedly violating the Standards Act and related laws.
“Economic operators confronted by individuals claiming to work for KEBS, who fail to identify themselves and their assignment as described here in above, and who conduct illegal invasion of business premises, illegal seizure of goods, illegal on-the-spot fines, solicitation of bribes, and illegal arrests and detention of the individuals with the aim of extortion, should immediately report the matter to KEBS during working hours from 8.00 AM-1.00 PM and 2.00 PM – 5.00 PM, Monday to Friday through Toll-Free Line 1545 and the DCI through Toll-Free Line 0800 722 203,” KEBS advised.
Notably, payments for KEBS services must be made exclusively through the E-Citizen platform, utilising the pay bill number 222222. The Bureau cautioned against sending money to individual mobile phone numbers.
