Updated 2026-11-14
A convincing job advert, interview message or calling letter can still be a scam. Stop before you send money, copies of documents or personal details. Verify the vacancy directly with the employer using contact details you find yourself on its official website or official social-media page.
Never pay anyone for a job. Genuine public recruitment is free.
This matters: in a DCI notice published in December 2025, detectives said they had recovered fake National Police Service calling letters and warned that NPS recruitment is free, fair and merit-based. Treat a fee demand or an offer to sell a recruitment slot as a serious warning sign.
One sign alone does not prove fraud, but pause the application when several signs appear together. Do not let a deadline, a promised connection or a job offer make you skip verification.
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| A request for money to apply, be shortlisted, get a calling letter, secure a slot, train, process documents or release salary | Do not pay. Save the message, advert, payment request and any receipt. |
| An offer says someone can get you a job or sell you a recruitment place | Do not proceed through that person. The DCI specifically warns against fraudsters selling fake recruitment slots. |
| A message asks you to click a link, send documents or continue on an unfamiliar account | Do not use the link or contact in the message until you have independently confirmed the vacancy with the employer. |
| A calling letter, offer letter or logo looks official but the vacancy cannot be found on the organisation's own channels | Treat the document as unverified. Contact the organisation through independently found official details. |
| The sender pushes you to act immediately or says verification will make you lose the job | Pause. A real vacancy can be checked before you share information or pay anything. |
Keep the original advert, screenshots, phone number, email address, links, names used and the date and time. These records can help an employer, platform or authority assess a report.
Use a route that does not depend on the advert. Type the employer's website address into your browser or find it through a reliable search result. Look for the same vacancy on the employer's careers page, then use the contact details published there to ask whether the advert, recruiter and application method are genuine.
If the employer cannot confirm the advert, or the details conflict, walk away. You do not need to prove that it is a scam before deciding not to send money or sensitive information.
If the offer involves a suspected crime, fake recruitment slot or forged calling letter, report it to the nearest police station or to the DCI. The DCI asks the public to report suspicious offers through Fichua Kwa DCI on 0800 722 203 or WhatsApp 0709 570 000.
For a phishing message, suspicious link or other cyber incident, report to National KE-CIRT/CC through its web portal, by email at incidents@ke-cirt.go.ke, or on +254-703-042700 or +254-730-172700. Its reporting form includes phishing as an incident type.
If the issue is a fraudulent call or SMS connected to a communications service, first complain to your service provider and keep the evidence. The Communications Authority of Kenya says unresolved complaints can then be escalated to it and lists fraudulent calls and SMS among issues it handles. Its page lists complaints@ca.go.ke and 0703 042000.
Do not delete the evidence after reporting. Keep screenshots, links, messages, email headers if available, names, numbers and proof of any payment.
No. Never pay anyone for a job. The DCI's December 2025 warning on fake NPS recruitment states that NPS recruitment is free, fair and merit-based. A demand to pay to apply, be shortlisted or secure a slot is a reason to stop and verify.
No. A BRS search can help you check the business or company name, but it does not confirm that a particular advert, sender, recruiter or request for money is genuine. Confirm the specific vacancy directly with the employer using contact details you found independently.
Stop entering information and report the suspected phishing or cyber incident to National KE-CIRT/CC. Keep the link and screenshots for the report. If you also received a fraudulent call or SMS, complain to your service provider first and retain the evidence if you escalate to the Communications Authority.
Report the offer to the nearest police station or to DCI through Fichua Kwa DCI: 0800 722 203 or WhatsApp 0709 570 000. Keep the advert, messages, sender details and any payment evidence.