Editor's Review

A US agency has cautioned Kenyans against a con syndicate targeting individuals. 

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has cautioned Kenyans against a fake social media post inviting individuals and organizations to the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN).

In a statement via the X platform on Thursday, December 7, USAID flagged the post noting that it is not associated with the agency.

USAID also noted that together with its partners they do not charge any fees in any application process.

“Scam Alert: USAID is aware of this fraudulent advert falsely associated with http://atiprogram.com. USAID MD David Gosney and USAID Kenya and East Africa, are not associated with this advertisement. USAID and its partners do not charge fees as part of the application process,” USAID said in a statement.

File image of a past USAID conference. 

According to the flagged post individuals interested in accreditation for the event would have to pay $400 inclusive of clearance and records, certification, accreditation process, and legal fee charges.

Organizations on the other hand were being asked to pay $700 which was broken down as a clearance and records fee of $270, a certification fee of $100, an accreditation process fee of &120, and legal fee charges of $280.

“Take note that for first time membership certification and accreditation a total sum of USD 400 is applicable for individual accreditation and a total sum of USD 700 in case you are registering for an institution/company/organization,” the fake post read in part.