UPDATED: 10 Common Scams Targeting House Helps — And How to Stay Safe
House helps and nannies are among the most hardworking people in our homes — yet they are also some of the most targeted by scammers. Many criminals know that domestic workers often handle children, household items, and sometimes money, making them easy targets.
 |
| A House help at home home confirming a detail. |
A stranger calls the house help pretending to be:
-
the employer,
-
a relative of the employer,
-
or a police officer.
They claim the boss has been arrested, is in an accident, or urgently needs money.
The scammer pressures the house help to send M-Pesa or hand over valuables.
How to stay safe:
No employer will send money requests through strangers. Hang up immediately and call the boss directly.
2. Fake Job Promotion or Salary Increase
Scammers pretend to be from:
-
a cleaning agency,
-
a bureau,
-
or a government office.
They tell the house help they’ve been “selected” for a higher-paying job and must pay a processing fee.
How to stay safe:
No genuine bureau asks for money through phone calls or SMS. Always confirm through official numbers.
3. M-Pesa Reversal Scam
A stranger sends money to the house help, claiming it was a mistake.
Moments later, they “call Safaricom” and claim the reversal failed — then pressure the house help to return the money.
Later, Safaricom reverses the transaction — leaving the house help with a loss.
How to stay safe:
Never send money back to a number you don’t know. Wait for official Safaricom reversal.
4. Religious “Blessing” Scams
A fake pastor or prophet tells a house help to give money or household items for “prayers,” “healing,” or “miracles.”
How to stay safe:
Real spiritual help does not require secret payments or gifts.
5. Fake Delivery or Parcel Charges
Someone appears at the gate claiming to deliver a parcel “paid for by the employer.”
They then demand payment or “delivery fees.”
How to stay safe:
A house help should never pay for deliveries. Always confirm directly with the employer.
6. Romance and Online Dating Scams
House helps may be approached by men who:
-
offer gifts,
-
promise marriage,
-
or ask for M-Pesa help.
This often turns into exploitation, financial abuse, or blackmail.
How to stay safe:
Be cautious with strangers who promise too much too quickly.
7. Child Kidnap or Fake Relative Scam
Strangers show up claiming to be:
-
the mother,
-
aunt,
-
or grandfather of the child.
They try to walk away with the child.
How to stay safe:
House helps must be instructed never to release a child without confirmation from the employer.
8. Fake Police or “City Council” Officers
A scammer dressed like an officer threatens the house help with arrest for:
-
noise,
-
“illegal employment,”
-
or lacking identification.
They demand immediate payment.
How to stay safe:
Ask for identification. Genuine officers do not collect cash on the spot.
Read Related: Why you need to Hire From a Reliable Bureau
9. Loan and Sacco Scams
House helps are told they can easily get:
-
instant loans,
-
Chama money,
-
or government grants — after paying a registration fee.
How to stay safe:
Avoid any financial service that requires payment before receiving a loan.
10. Household Item Swap or Repair Scam
Someone comes to the gate claiming to be:
-
a gas technician,
-
DSTV repairer,
-
or appliance technician.
Once let in, they steal items or swap working appliances with broken ones.
How to stay safe:
House helps should never allow service people into the home without employer confirmation.
How Employers Can Protect Their House Helps
To reduce the chances of your house help being scammed:
✔️ Train them on common scams
Explain how these schemes work.
✔️ Create clear communication rules
Example: “If anyone calls asking for money, call me FIRST.”
✔️ Save emergency numbers on their phone
Boss, bureau, nearest police post.
✔️ Support your house help emotionally
A confident, respected house help is harder to manipulate.
Comments
Post a Comment