#JiulizeKamaNiUkweli: How to Spot AI Deepfakes and Fake Fuliza Offers Before You Lose Your Money

As generative artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more accessible, fraudsters are finding new ways to impersonate trusted brands, public figures and company executives to deceive unsuspecting customers.

Through manipulated videos, cloned voices and fake websites, scammers can make fraudulent messages appear genuine. Customers may encounter adverts featuring people who appear to be Safaricom executives announcing giveaways, promotions, investment opportunities or offers promising to double Fuliza loan limits.

These messages may look convincing, use familiar brand colours and logos, and even feature realistic-looking videos. However, their purpose may be to trick customers into sharing personal information, revealing confidential account details or sending money to fraudsters.

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Safaricom customers are therefore encouraged to question suspicious online offers and verify information through official channels before taking action.

When a familiar face or voice cannot be trusted

Deepfake technology can manipulate images, videos and audio to make someone appear to say or do something they never actually said or did. Voice-cloning tools can also imitate a person’s voice using recordings available online.

This means a video featuring a familiar face or a voice sounding like a trusted company representative should not automatically be treated as proof that an offer is genuine.

Fraudsters may use these techniques to create a sense of urgency, promising customers free airtime, cash rewards, exclusive giveaways or increased Fuliza limits if they act immediately.

Other scams may direct customers to websites that closely resemble legitimate company pages, where they are asked to enter personal details, provide account information or follow instructions that could expose them to financial loss.

The challenge is that not every fake video has obvious flaws. Some AI-generated content may look and sound realistic, while genuine videos can also have poor audio or unusual lip movements.

Customers should therefore avoid relying on appearance alone. The most reliable safeguard is to verify the offer independently.

Five simple clues that an online offer could be fraudulent

1. Watch the mouth, not just the face. When watching a video, check whether the person’s lip movements appear to match their words. Unnatural facial movements, inconsistent expressions or audio that seems out of sync may be warning signs. However, these clues are not conclusive because sophisticated deepfakes can look convincing.

2. Listen for unusual speech. A cloned voice may sometimes sound robotic, have unnatural pauses or contain unusual changes in tone. Background sounds may also seem inconsistent with the setting. But a convincing voice is not proof of authenticity.

3. Question promises that sound too good to be true. Be cautious of adverts promising guaranteed cash rewards, instant investment profits, free money or a doubled Fuliza limit in exchange for a small payment, registration fee or personal information.

4. Check the website address carefully. Fraudulent pages may imitate familiar websites using misleading spellings, extra words or unfamiliar domain names. Avoid clicking suspicious links. Instead, independently open Safaricom’s official website or use its established customer service channels to confirm an offer.

5. Look beyond the logo and comments. A familiar logo, a large number of views, positive comments or a video featuring a recognisable person does not guarantee that an advert is legitimate. Scammers can copy branding, fabricate testimonials and manipulate engagement.

These clues should prompt caution, not serve as a final test. A fraudulent video may have no obvious visual errors, so independent verification remains essential.

The Stop, Think, Act/Verify rule

To help customers make safer decisions online, the #JiulizeKamaNiUkweli campaign can reinforce a simple three-step routine: Stop, Think, Act/Verify.

STOP: Do not rush

Scammers often create urgency to prevent customers from checking the facts. They may claim that a giveaway ends in minutes, that a special Fuliza offer is available only to selected customers, or that immediate action is required to unlock a reward.

Pause before clicking a link, sharing information or making a payment. Do not allow an unfamiliar voice call, a dramatic video or a countdown timer to pressure you into acting.

Remember: If an offer demands instant action, take time to verify it.

THINK: Question what you see and hear

Ask yourself three quick questions:

• Does the offer promise an unusually large reward or an increase in my loan limit without a clear, official explanation?
• Is the video, voice message, website address or request for information suspicious?
• Am I being asked to pay a fee, disclose confidential details or follow an unfamiliar link to receive a reward?

Look for inconsistencies in audio, lip movements and facial expressions, but remember that AI-generated content may be difficult to identify by sight or sound alone.

The most important question is whether the offer can be independently confirmed through an official Safaricom channel.

ACT/VERIFY: Check before you act

Do not use a link or telephone number supplied in a suspicious advert as your only means of verification. Independently access Safaricom’s official website, check its verified social media accounts or contact customer care through an established, official channel.

Confirm whether the promotion exists, whether the stated terms are genuine and whether the requested action is legitimate.

Never share your M-PESA PIN, passwords or one-time verification codes with someone claiming to help you claim a prize. Do not send money or disclose sensitive information simply because a video features a familiar face or a voice sounds authentic.

If the offer cannot be verified, do not proceed. Report the suspicious advert through the appropriate official reporting channel.

What should you do if you have already interacted with a suspicious offer?

If you have clicked a suspicious link, stop interacting with the page and do not provide further information.

If you have shared confidential information or authorised a transaction, contact Safaricom through an official customer care channel immediately and explain what happened. If money has been lost, report the incident to the relevant authorities and your financial service provider as appropriate.

Keep relevant evidence, such as screenshots, messages, account names, website addresses and transaction details, without sharing sensitive information publicly.

Acting quickly may help limit further exposure, although recovery of lost funds is not guaranteed.

Make verification a habit

AI technology is changing how online fraud is carried out, but customers do not need advanced technical knowledge to make safer decisions. A simple pause, a few questions and an independent verification can help prevent a costly mistake.

Before responding to a video promising free money, a voice claiming to represent a company executive or an advert offering to double your Fuliza limit, ask yourself: #JiulizeKamaNiUkweli — Have I verified this?

Stop. Think. Act/Verify.

Because a familiar face can be faked, a convincing voice can be cloned and a website can be copied. Verify the offer through official channels before you trust it or act on it.