Healthcare practitioners, medical facilities and members of the public have been put on alert after the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) uncovered a scheme in which fraudsters are masquerading as its officials to collect money from unsuspecting victims.
The medical regulator says the imposters are falsely claiming they can help speed up registration, licensing and other regulatory processes in return for payment, prompting the Council to issue a public warning.
According to KMPDC, reports received indicate that the fraudsters are approaching practitioners, health facilities and training institutions while pretending to act on behalf of the Council.
“The Council has received reports of individuals falsely presenting themselves as KMPDC officials and offering to facilitate practitioner registration, annual licence renewal, health facility licensing, gazettement, inspections, accreditation, verification or other services in exchange for payment,” the notice stated.
The Council reminded stakeholders that all payments should only be made through its approved channels, warning that it does not collect money through personal mobile money numbers, personal bank accounts or any other individual payment methods.
“KMPDC does not receive payments through personal mobile money numbers, personal bank accounts or any other individual payment channels,” the Council stated.
KMPDC urged healthcare practitioners, health facilities, training institutions and the public to stay vigilant and reject requests for money from individuals claiming they can influence or speed up Council services.
“Do not send money to any person claiming to represent KMPDC or promising to expedite services, approvals, inspections, licences or registrations in exchange for payment,” the Council cautioned.
The regulator said all official communication is conducted only through its authorised email addresses ending with @kmpdc.go.ke and its official telephone numbers 0727 666 444 and 0111 052 222.
KMPDC Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, Dr David Kariuki, encouraged anyone who receives suspicious calls, messages or payment requests from people claiming to represent the Council to report them through the appropriate channels.
The Council said timely reporting of such incidents will support investigations and help authorities take action against those behind the fraudulent activities.