Growing Scam Prompts M-Shwari Loan Limit Fraud Warning to Millions of Kenyan Users
How false promises of bigger M-Shwari limits are luring customers into costly traps
M-Shwari is cautioning its customers to steer clear of anyone promising to “unlock” or “boost” their loan limit. The mobile lending and savings service says these offers are pure fiction — and in some cases, an easy way for fraudsters to con you out of your money.
The service, run jointly by NCBA Bank and Safaricom through M-Pesa, says it has seen a rise in reports of people being approached with claims that they can influence how much you can borrow.
“M-Shwari limits are managed and allocated solely by NCBA through an internal process,” the bank said in a statement. “No third party or individual has the authority or ability to alter your limit.”
The Real Way Limits Are Set
If you’ve used M-Shwari for a while, you’ll know your borrowing limit changes from time to time. That’s not random. NCBA looks at how much you borrow, how fast you pay it back, how much you save, and your overall credit history. Those figures are run through their system to decide your next limit.
The formula is simple — borrow responsibly, repay on time, save often, and keep your credit record clean. Pay someone to “fix” it for you and you’re throwing money away. Worse, you could hand over personal details to a scammer who will use them for something far riskier than an empty promise.
Stick to Official Channels
M-Shwari says if you need help, only use its verified lines: Safaricom’s 100 or 200, or NCBA’s 0711 036 444 and 0732 156 444. The official social media pages are M-Shwari Official on Facebook and @MShwariOfficial on X.
Scams in mobile lending have been getting more creative, often blending smooth talk with the speed of mobile money transactions. M-Shwari’s warning is a reminder that in the race between banks and fraudsters, the safest move is to stick to the rules — and ignore shortcuts that sound too good to be true.
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