Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Issues Warning After Cons Place Fake Advert in Kenyan Daily

US-based Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has warned of a fake tender advertisement placed in a leading Kenyan newspaper last Sunday.

The false tender notice published on Sunday Nation called for the supply of consumable goods including vegetable oil, table salt, long grain rice, bar soap, maize meal, and gas cylinders, among others.

But in a statement on Tuesday, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation stated that it does not have offices in Nairobi and warned Kenyans against falling prey to the con artists behind the fake notice. Potentials suppliers were required to pay Sh4,100 for each bid.

The fraudsters indicated in the advert that they are from the Supply Unit Division of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation regional office in Nairobi.

“We are aware of a potential scam involving a foundation office in Nairobi, Kenya. Please know that we do not have any office in Nairobi, Kenya, and ask that you report any fraudulent activity to local authorities in Kenya,” The foundation stated.

“The foundation is aware of numerous forms of fraudulent correspondence including, but not limited to: email, postal mail, fax, and telephone, all claiming to be from, or associated with, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. They are circulating in a number of different languages and often include foundation logo, photos, links, or other information,” the statement added.

In addition, the foundation made it clear that it does not ask for administrative fees for awarding a grant or registration fees for conferences and summits, neither does it solicit donations or offer investment opportunities.

“Unfortunately, scams claiming to be from or associated with the foundation are growing in volume and, in many cases, can be quite sophisticated. Our security team is working with law enforcement to make every effort to stop such scams, but unfortunately, we cannot stop them all,” the foundation added.