By Rebecca Odhiambo
A TikTok video posted on June 13, 2026, from an account with the username Limitless Media Ke Back Up (@limitless.media.k), claims that Mkopa and officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are “set to arrest 2,342,007 customers who have flashed their phones.”
The claim is presented as an imminent law-enforcement operation targeting M-KOPA customers who have allegedly ‘’flashed’’ their devices.
A review of the TikTok account shows that it regularly posts content on politics, public affairs, security matters and trending social issues. The post at the time of review had attracted approximately 24.3k likes, 269 comments, 784 saves, 1110 shares and 320.9k views.
BACKGROUND
M-KOPA is a financial model in Kenya that operates as a pay-as-you-go smartphone service. Customers acquire devices through installment payments with ownership transferred upon completion of the agreed payment plan. Flashing refers to reinstalling or rewriting the software on a phone. If a customer falls behind on payments, M-KOPA can remotely disable the device until the balance is settled. Flashing strips out that lock and sometimes the phone’s IMEI number along with it, so the device keeps working even when the loan has not been paid.
Over the years, concerns have emerged regarding unauthorized unlocking, software modification and tampering with financed devices. Law enforcement agencies have occasionally investigated individuals suspected of facilitating the illegal unlocking of smartphones acquired through credit-financing arrangements with the National Police Service, publicly warning Kenyans against flashing phones obtained through credit-financing.
MKOPA’S Terms of Service state that customers should not tamper with, modify, or reverse engineer software linked to its products. The company notes that unauthorized modification may result in legal consequences and possible criminal complaints.
VERIFICATION
To verify the claim, Piga Firimbi reached out to M-KOPA on their official WhatsApp number to seek clarification regarding the allegations. In their response, M-KOPA categorically denied the claim, stating that it was not based on any official communication from the company.
According to M-KOPA, customers who fall behind on payments are handled through established customer care and collections processes, including payment reminders and support options. The company further explained that where devices are illegally unlocked, tampered with, or linked to suspected fraud, it may apply contractual remedies such as device locking, termination of benefits, or warranty cancellation as provided for in its Terms of Service.
M-KOPA noted that while it may cooperate with law enforcement agencies in cases involving suspected criminal activity, such cooperation is limited to specific investigations and should not be interpreted as a mass operation targeting customers. The company stated:
“We have not issued any directive, plan, or operation to arrest M-KOPA customers on the scale being claimed online. Any such figures or mass-arrest narratives are inaccurate.”
This response debunks the claim published by the TikTok account Limitless Media Ke Back Up, which alleged that more than 2.3 million customers were set to be arrested.
Also, a review of publicly available statements from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations found no announcement supporting the claim that 2,342,007 customers are facing arrest. Given the scale of the alleged operation, an official notice, press statement, or public communication would reasonably be expected. No such evidence was found.
The post cites a specific figure of 2,342,007 customers but provides no evidence showing how the number was obtained. No official records, court documents, government reports, or statements from M-KOPA support the figure.
VERDICT
Claims that M-KOPA and the DCI are planning to arrest 2.3 million customers for flashing the phones are FALSE.
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