The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has cautioned the public against falling victim to a fraudulent vehicle auction circulating online, which falsely claimed that the taxman was selling 22 high-end cars at heavily discounted prices.
In an official statement, KRA flagged the auction notice as fake and urged Kenyans to disregard it, emphasizing that all legitimate communications from the authority are shared only through verified channels. “Kindly note that the vehicle auction notices circulating are FAKE. All official KRA communication is shared only through verified official channels,” the authority clarified.
The fake auction, first posted on Thursday, carried KRA’s official colours and themes in an attempt to appear credible. It listed luxury models including a Range Rover Evoque, Audi Q6 Premium, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, and Mercedes Benz GLE, among others. However, sharp inconsistencies quickly exposed it as fraudulent.
One of the biggest red flags was the pricing. The cars were offered at rates far below normal auction standards, raising suspicion. The advert also instructed interested buyers to initiate contact via a personal phone number a practice wholly uncharacteristic of the KRA. Another warning sign was the demand for a non-refundable Ksh20,000 registration fee, supposedly required to participate in the process.
KRA reiterated that it never conducts auctions through private contacts or personal payment requests. Legitimate auctions, the taxman explained, are conducted transparently and follow established procedures. Typically, vehicle and goods auctions are announced through official gazette notices, published on KRA’s official portal, and occasionally advertised in reputable national newspapers. These notices clearly list available items, terms of sale, and auction venues.
Additionally, KRA allows prospective bidders to physically inspect vehicles and goods at designated yards before the auction date. The actual bidding process is open, competitive, and conducted either in person or through official online platforms.
The tax authority pointed out that one of its most recent legitimate auctions took place between July 28 and August 1, 2025, via its official portal, further underlining the contrast with the fake notice.
KRA has urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and verify all auction-related information directly through its official communication platforms to avoid falling prey to fraudsters.
