The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) on Wednesday, January 22, alerted Kenyans about a new scam being used by fraudsters to exploit unsuspecting individuals in matters related to forest plantation harvesting.
In an official statement, KFS warned the public about these scammers, outlining how they operate to deceive and swindle Kenyans.
“KFS wishes to alert the public to beware of fraudsters who are pretending to make phone calls about the progress of forest plantation harvesting.
These criminals are using the phone number 0721440278 and falsely claiming to be senior KFS officials,” the statement revealed.
The con artists reportedly reach out to sawmillers, pretending to inquire about challenges they might be facing in their harvesting activities. After establishing a sense of trust, the scammers demand money, claiming it will help resolve those challenges.
Forest plantation harvesting involves cutting down trees for various uses, such as timber production. The process includes several steps, such as felling, removing branches, peeling off bark, and transporting the logs to a processing facility.
KFS explained that forest plantations contribute six percent of Kenya’s gazetted forest cover, primarily consisting of exotic tree species. These trees have a rotation cycle of 25 to 30 years, after which they begin to deteriorate if not harvested in time.
The subject of forest harvesting, commonly referred to as logging, has often been a contentious issue in Kenya, with debates surrounding its environmental impact. In 2024,
President William Ruto lifted a six-year ban on logging that had been in place since 2018 under a government-imposed moratorium.
In November 2024, Kenyans expressed outrage after videos circulated online showing forest rangers cutting down trees in Karura Forest.
At the time, it was unclear whether the logging was part of legal harvesting activities.
However, KFS, along with the Friends of Karura Conservation Group, quickly clarified that the activities were lawful and part of forest restoration efforts.
This latest scam targeting Kenyans appears to be motivated by the high value associated with forest plantation harvesting, which is a billion-shilling industry in the country.
For example, in 2018, before the logging ban, KFS reportedly generated Ksh2.7 billion from forest plantations.
In light of the fraudsters’ actions, KFS strongly urged Kenyans to report such cases to their offices or local police stations for further investigation.
“The public is advised not to send money to anyone claiming to represent KFS for any reason. Fraudsters may use other phone numbers, so we urge the public to remain vigilant,” the agency emphasized.
By being cautious and reporting suspicious activity, Kenyans can help combat these scams and protect themselves from financial loss.
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