PAYPAL has started cracking down on Kenyan accounts after Kenya, under William Ruto, was grey-listed by FATF over money laundering concerns.
And as usual, it is not the people suspected of moving billions who are suffering.
It is ordinary Kenyans eg, Freelancers, Online sellers etc
According to reports from affected users, PayPal is now demanding additional verification documents from many Kenyan account holders, including contracts, proof of work, bank statements and proof of physical residence.
Fail the review and your account can be frozen.
Your money may still appear in your balance.
But you can't access it.
You can't withdraw it.
You can't use it.
Some funds can reportedly be held for up to 180 days.
This is why money laundering is not a victimless crime
Many of us have seen suspicious displays of wealth, unexplained millions flowing around politics, millions donated here and there and assumed it has nothing to do with them.
It does.
When a country's financial reputation is damaged, international companies start treating everyone from that country as a risk.
The billionaire doesn't feel it first.
The politician doesn't feel it first.
The ordinary Kenyan trying to earn an honest living online feels it first.
And that is exactly what is happening now.
I have PayPal accounts in Kenya and the EU, and the difference is ridiculous.
The Kenyan one gets blocked, restricted, and frozen so often that it is basically useless. Even after sending the documents they ask for and answering their endless questions, the account still gets treated like a crime scene. They keep escalating the documents needed to keep the Kenyan account operational and to send and receive basic money.
Surprisingly, I have never had this problem with my EU account, yet I am the same person operating both accounts.
The experience is similar for many fellow Africans I have spoken to. Bottom line is that PayPal just gives African users the worst of its experience.
I hope the new @PayPal CEO @EnriqueJLores
BREAKING NEWS: PayPal did a study and concluded that not a single Kenyan can afford $10 in their accounts it must be thru laundering. Kenyans woke up to all their PayPal accounts frozen.
I want under this tweet, all Africans we recommend one mobile money transfer app that is not racist like PayPal so we can promote it.
AFTER RAILA AZIKWE, KUNA SHUGHULI INATAKA MBOGI.
THAT CYBERCRIMES BILL AND PRIVATIZATION BILL NEEDS TO BE RECALLED URGENTLY.
THE STREETS ARE CALLING GUYS!!!!
Sam Atandi, Alego MP
And Energy CS, Wandai
Are fighting over who btwn them should carry Rao's casket
Once the Indian doctors pull the plug
Jakom betrayed Kenya only for his whiskey to be laced... 🤧
Telo nyaka dog Siaya brigade will not believe
In fact, Raila en Abandu
This man is being held, and likely tortured in a detention hole run by National Intelligence Service and Directorate of Criminal Investigations. The orders of his abduction likely came from @WilliamsRuto himself. Abuse of power! #FreeNdianguiKinyagia#RutoMustGo