People are being duped into purchasing second hand M-Kopa phones and TVs. Owners pay for 3days and one will ever know till it locks. There are FB groups filled with tales of people having either purchased one or were almost.
There are ways of identifying whether a device has M-Kopa besides spotting the M-Kopa app. The app can be uninstalled. It’s purpose is only to monitor your account status.
This is what I’ve done to know if it has M-Kopa; (Will upload screenshots whenever I can)
HOW TO KNOW IF A DEVICE HAS M-KOPA.
One can factory reset the device. After fully setting up the device, restart it. It may lock. Be keen on the status of the phone. If it is clean with no SMS, call history or social messaging apps, then it has been factory reset. Best to restart it ASAP. Or go to “Uptime” in Settings-About Phone-Status. This shows how long it’s been on. You’ll know if they factory reset it for you when it says a very recent time. Either way, restart it.
On some Nokia phones, in Settings-About Phone, there is a “Purchase” Option.
Most Samsung phones have a “Device Services” option. If it says “Enabled” then it can lock. “Disabled” means it’s been paid completely.
Restarting some devices also shows the M-Kopa logo but it doesn’t necessarily mean it hasn’t been paid completely. Also, Safaricom isn’t the only one in this Higher Purchase biz. There is D-Light, Sunking, etc.
If at all you know it’s an M-Kopa device and are planning to acquire it, check their SMS for the amount remaining. This ensures that they indeed are the current owner and the balance they stated is correct.
There are other options that maybe I don’t know of but this is in my experience.
TVs start with the logo. There are some with stickers behind. I saw one with a GSM antenna. I’m under the impression that the system depends on internet connectivity to receive commands so we can rule out digital TVs. So maybe all M-Kopa TVs are Smart TVs. If the system functions just like M-Gas and Sunking’s Solar solutions, then maybe another protocol via GSM.
Safaricom’s business model for higher purchase. You acquire a device after paying deposit and then pay a daily amount for 365days. The mark up is usually inflated by 50% or more.
Many people now own devices in this manner that they otherwise couldn’t afford. You don’t have the money to get a device at RRP but you can’t lack 55, 70 or 120 daily.
Thanks for raising awareness about the issue of second-hand M-Kopa devices. It’s disheartening to hear about individuals unknowingly purchasing these devices, only to find out later that they’re locked or not functioning properly. Your advice on identifying such devices beyond just relying on the M-Kopa app is invaluable. It underscores the importance of being diligent when buying electronics, especially in the second-hand market.
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