Fellow entrepreneurs, there is a dangerous scam that has been targeting the business community over the past years. Fraudsters are using fake SMS notifications and Proof of Payment (POP) screenshots from legitimate money transfer services like Mukuru, World Remit, and Western Union to steal products/money without paying.
THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND THE SCAM
Scammers are master manipulators. They don’t just send fake POPs – they build trust first:
- Share convincing personal stories about their business or family
- Speak professionally and courteously to lower your guard
- Promise future bulk orders or ongoing business partnerships
- Act like genuine customers building long-term relationships
- Make you feel special by offering “exclusive deals”
THE SOPHISTICATED SMS TRICK
Here’s what makes these scams so convincing: You don’t just get a fake POP screenshot – you also receive what appears to be an official SMS notification from the money transfer company (Mukuru, World Remit, etc.) confirming the payment. The SMS details match exactly with what the scammer shows you.
How they do this:
- Scammers use bulk SMS platforms that allow them to customize the “From” name
- They set the sender name to appear as “MUKURU” or “WorldRemit” etc.
- They send you a fake SMS that looks 100% official
- The fake SMS matches their fake POP screenshot perfectly
- Your phone shows the message as coming from the legitimate company
This double confirmation (fake POP + fake SMS) is designed to eliminate any doubt you might have.
CRITICAL DIFFERENCE: WHY MONEY REMITTANCES ARE MORE VULNERABLE
Unlike EcoCash where you can independently verify payments by checking your balance or requesting a statement enquiry, money remittance services like Mukuru, World Remit, and Western Union CANNOT be verified on your own. You have no way to check your account balance or transaction history independently. The ONLY way to confirm if money has been sent for collection is to physically visit the agent with the reference number during operating hours. This is exactly why scammers target money remittance services – because you can’t verify them yourself like you can with mobile money platforms.
HOW THE SCAM WORKS
Method 1: The “Urgent Collection” Scam
- Scammer sends fake POP showing payment made
- You receive fake SMS “from Mukuru” confirming the transfer
- Says they have sent someone to collect goods urgently
- Often happens after business hours when agents are closed
- You give goods thinking payment is confirmed by both POP and SMS
- Next day you discover both the POP and SMS were fake – no money was ever sent
Method 2: The “Overpayment” Trick
- Product costs $100, but scammer says they have told overseas relative that it costs $200
- Sends fake POP showing $200 transfer via WhatsApp
- You receive fake SMS “from money transfer company” confirming $200
- Asks you to send them $70 via Innbucks/EcoCash BEFORE collection, so that you benefit $30 extra from the $100 overpayment
- Says they will collect goods later or send someone
- You send the $70 refund believing the SMS confirmation is real
- Both POP and SMS were fake – scammer disappears with your refund money
Method 3: The “Mistake” Scam
- Claims they accidentally sent $400 instead of $300
- You receive fake screenshot and fake SMS “from transfer company” showing $400 received
- Asks you to immediately send back $100 via Ecocash/Innbucks
- Promises to collect goods later
- You send the $100 “refund” believing the SMS is genuine
- Both the POP and SMS confirmation were completely fake
- Scammer vanishes with your $100 refund
RED FLAGS TO WATCH FOR
❌ Overly friendly strangers promising big future business
❌ Elaborate personal stories meant to build trust
❌ Payments sent after agent operating hours
❌ WhatsApp/phone requests for immediate refunds before goods collection
❌ Overpayment scenarios requiring Ecocash/Innbucks refunds
❌ “Mistake” payments asking for instant refunds
❌ Pressure to send refunds before verifying original payment
❌ Poor quality or suspicious-looking POPs
❌ Customers who seem “too good to be true”
PROTECT YOURSELF
✅ NEVER trust SMS notifications alone – they can be faked
✅ NEVER send refunds before verifying original payment
✅ NEVER release goods until you physically collect money from the agent
✅ Visit the agent physically to confirm and collect cash – this is the ONLY reliable verification
✅ No legitimate overpayments – if someone overpays, they collect goods and remaining money after you have collected cash from the agent
✅ Be suspicious of any refund requests via WhatsApp/calls
✅ Don’t let friendly conversation lower your business guard
✅ Treat every transaction professionally, regardless of promised future business
✅ Trust your instincts if something feels wrong
GOLDEN RULES
- SMS notifications can be faked – only physical verification at agents is reliable
- Friendship in business doesn’t mean skipping verification
- Big promises often hide big scams
- Legitimate customers never mind waiting for proper verification
REMEMBER
Even if you receive both a POP screenshot AND an SMS that looks official, both can be fake. Scammers know that people trust SMS notifications, so they exploit bulk SMS platforms to impersonate legitimate companies. The ONLY way to verify a transfer is to physically visit the agent during operating hours and collect cash.
Stay vigilant, verify everything physically, and protect your hard-earned business.
ZimLedger
ZimLedger is the all in one business and finance platform for Zimbabwe. It generates quotes, invoices, payslips and financial statements, manages business ledgers, tracks income and expenses, and builds shopping lists. ZimLedger offers a simple yet powerful solution tailored to local needs. Whether you are budgeting in ZiG or USD, managing business accounts, converting Ecocash statements, or tracking household expenses, ZimLedger empowers you to stay organised, make informed financial decisions, and grow your wealth—right from your phone or computer.
