Scams and fake websites
Criminals often impersonate government services to steal money, passwords or identity documents. CitizenGuide.KE will never ask for your eCitizen password, OTP or M-Pesa pin.
Warning Government services do not ask you to pay bribes to “speed up” applications. Official fees are paid through official channels.
Common scam patterns
- Fake websites that look like eCitizen, KRA, NTSA, immigration or police clearance portals
- SMS or WhatsApp messages with urgent links about refunds, warrants or “unclaimed” funds
- Agents who demand your OTP, ID photos and full passwords
- Job offers that require an upfront “registration fee” for government employment
- Social media forms promising cash transfers, fertiliser or bursaries outside official programmes
How to check a website
- Type the address yourself instead of clicking unknown links
- Prefer known official domains (for example government .go.ke services) and the URLs published on official sites
- Look carefully at spelling (extra letters, odd domains)
- Check that payment pages sit inside the official service
- If in doubt, stop and verify using a phone number or address from an official website you already trust
Official starting points on this site
- eCitizen explained — how the official portal works and how to open it safely
- Money and tax — tax guidance; only pay through official KRA channels
- Driving and transport — NTSA-related processes
- Huduma Centres for assisted in-person services
- Contact government directory
Protect your accounts
- Never share one-time passwords (OTPs)
- Use unique passwords for government portals
- Do not install unknown “helper” apps from unofficial links
- Review mobile money statements after any unexpected prompt
If you think you were scammed
- Stop further payments and do not send more OTPs.
- Change passwords on affected accounts if you still have access.
- Report to the police and keep evidence (messages, numbers, receipts).
- Notify your mobile money provider or bank through official support channels if money moved.
- Report corruption-related solicitation to official anti-corruption channels where relevant — see complain about government.
Phishing that mentions CitizenGuide.KE
We do not process applications or collect government fees. If someone claims they are us and asks for payment for a passport, ID or tax filing, treat it as a scam and tell us.