Diamond Trust Bank Kenya Urged to Freeze Fraud Account

In Short

• Kenya consumer group COFEK says a customer was defrauded of KES 275,500 via a mobile money transfer to a DTB paybill.
• COFEK wants Diamond Trust Bank Kenya to freeze the receiving account and paybill, and to waive confidentiality so the victim can pursue recovery.
• The group has given the bank seven days to respond.

What Happened

The Consumers Federation of Kenya has written to Diamond Trust Bank Kenya demanding urgent action over an alleged mobile money fraud.

COFEK says the victim sent KES 275,500 from her M-PESA wallet to a DTB paybill, Paybill 516600, Account 5689225002, across three transactions on September 9 and 10, 2026. A paybill is a business payment number used to route payments into a bank account.

COFEK says the victim has M-PESA confirmation messages for each transfer. It also says the case was reported to police at Githurai Mwiki Police Station and recorded as “Obtaining by False Pretences.”

In its letter, COFEK asked Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) to place a Post No Debit instruction, meaning the account cannot send money out while investigations run. It also asked DTB to refund the full amount, or confirm the available balance and facilitate a release to the victim up to KES 275,500.

COFEK further requested the bank disclose the account holder’s identity details and provide a full transaction statement showing receipt and onward movement of the funds. It also asked for direct contact details of DTB’s fraud investigations officer to coordinate with police.

Why It Matters

Mobile money fraud often depends on speed. Funds can be moved out of the receiving account within minutes, making recovery harder.

The letter also highlights a recurring tension in digital finance, protecting customer confidentiality versus supporting victims and law enforcement. COFEK argues that confidentiality is not absolute when a legal claim or criminal investigation is involved.

How DTB responds could shape expectations for how Kenyan banks handle paybill-linked fraud reports, especially when victims can show clear transaction evidence.