Safaricom has warned M-PESA users to stay alert for fraudsters exploiting the Shiriki Pay feature using social engineering tactics.
The company said scammers increasingly trick unsuspecting customers into adding them as trusted beneficiaries, then use that access to steal money.
In a public advisory posted on its official X account on Monday, July 17, 2026, Safaricom cautioned that what may start as a casual conversation or a request for help could quickly develop into a financial scam.
The company said fraudsters often start by building trust with their targets before asking them to register the scammers as Shiriki Pay beneficiaries.
“Did you know a simple favor can quickly turn into a scam?…Fraudsters may start with a friendly conversation before asking you to add them as a Shiriki Pay beneficiary,” Safaricom said.
How Users Can Protect Themselves
Safaricom urged customers to use the feature carefully, adding that users should only designate as beneficiaries people they personally know and trust.
“Remember, a beneficiary should only be someone you know and trust,” the company said.
The mobile service provider also told customers to stop any transaction immediately if they receive suspicious requests. It advised users to verify the person’s identity independently and report suspected fraud through My OneApp or by sending an SMS to 333.
𝗪𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝗼 𝘁𝘂𝗽𝗶𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶… 𝗨𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗷𝘂𝗮 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗺?
Fraudsters may start with a friendly conversation before asking you to add them as a Shiriki Pay beneficiary.
#ShirikiPay… pic.twitter.com/QYRL4iEyLh
— Safaricom PLC (@SafaricomPLC) July 27, 2026
What Shiriki Pay Does
Shiriki Pay is an M-PESA feature that lets customers authorize trusted family members or other individuals to access specific services or carry out transactions on their behalf, under controlled conditions.
Safaricom said the feature aims to make life easier for users who need help managing their M-PESA accounts. However, it warned that fraudsters can abuse Shiriki Pay by using deception and social engineering, rather than exploiting any technical weakness in the system.
The company said it will continue strengthening its customer awareness campaigns as mobile money fraud evolves. It urged customers to pause and verify every request involving access to their M-PESA accounts, saying that a few moments of caution can prevent major financial losses.
