E-commerce platform Jiji.co.ke says it has beefed up its cyber security measures to block scammers in the wake of a surge in online transactions triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.
The firm, which bought out OLX and rebranded, said it has instituted a range of security checks aimed at making its platform “uncompromising for scammers.”
Country manager Maksym Golubev said the firm has a team of moderators to scrutinise adverts before they are considered fit to be uploaded.
“We do not relent in our efforts to provide a safe and secure online platform where buyers and sellers can find each other, interact and get together to complete scum-free transactions,” says Mr Golubev.
Since Covid-19 was first reported in Kenya, e-commerce platforms has witnessed an upsurge in the number of customers logging in to shop for items, as people minimised outdoor activities.
Mr Golubev said the Jiji website will use artificial intelligence and automatic algorithms that based on user behaviour to track suspicious ads and automatically block them.
“Jiji.co.ke also does additional checks and confirmation when users change important settings in their user profile like when changing passwords, changing the contact phone number, log into their account from a new device, among others,” said Mr Golubev.
“These are steps scammers always take if they gain access to a user’s account and upon any of such suspicious processes, the account immediately gets blocked.”
“Also, prepayments on Jiji are highly advised against and this is displayed on every ad page. Buyers are urged never to pay before a purchase and sellers are warned not to ask for any prepayments before delivery.
“You can discuss the cost of delivery, but you pay for the product only after it has been delivered,” he went on, adding that the firm’s current call is ‘ona feeltry alafu buy’ (see, feel, try then buy) to encourage buyers to pay only when they are satisfied.
Jiji says it work in collaboration with the Kenyan police in investigations relating to scamming activities.
“This is in a bid to bring perpetrators to book and to help victims," it said.
Jiji.co.ke, one of the largest marketplaces for classifieds in Africa, acquired its main competitor on the OLX last year and its operations in Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania.
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