A storm of complaints is gathering around a little-known online store “Nukia Best” accused of duping unsuspecting Kenyan buyers by peddling counterfeit perfumes disguised as luxury, original-brand colognes in what has not only sparked outrage online but is now drawing attention from consumer protection authorities.
Shoppers from various parts of the country have reported being lured in by the store’s sleek marketing and generous discounts on high-end fragrance labels, only to receive items that are, by multiple accounts, poorly packaged, suspiciously off-scent and nowhere near the standards of genuine designer products.
The complaints, which have intensified over the past month, paint a damning picture of how the store allegedly operates.
Buyers are promised authentic imports, often at deals too good to ignore but end up with fakes that bear tell-tale signs such as printing errors, missing authenticity seals, crude bottle imitations and most notably, fragrance that disappears within minutes of application.
“I purchased what I thought was an original Mancera Red Tobacco. When the parcel arrived, I immediately knew something was off. The packaging looked rushed and fake, and the scent vanished in less than ten minutes,” said one Nairobi resident who declined to be named, citing fear of being harassed further.
What has added fuel to the fire, however, is the store’s alleged refusal to engage with dissatisfied customers.
Victims claim that after sending payment, typically via mobile money platforms, the sellers either ignore queries or block the customer entirely, cutting off any avenue for recourse or refunds.
Two mobile numbers tied to Nukia Best (0708 397 299 and 0748 796 730) are both said to be registered under a person identified as Risper Waigiri, a name now circulating in digital consumer watchdog spaces.
A digital fraud investigator based in Nairobi commented that the case fits a familiar and troubling pattern in Kenya’s booming but poorly regulated e-commerce scene, where loosely-structured online shops leverage platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook to run what appear to be structured scams.
“This is a classic bait-and-switch operation. They advertise legitimate products, push for full payment before delivery, and once the buyer has paid, they go silent. The packaging might resemble the original, but it doesn’t take long to see you’re holding a knockoff,” the analyst explained.
The fallout has prompted some victims to organise through consumer forums and initiate complaints with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), demanding an investigation into the store’s operations, its owners, and the source of the goods.
The bigger concern, according to anti-counterfeit experts, is not just about fraudulent transactions but the health risks posed by unregulated cosmetic products.
“Fake colognes can contain unknown chemicals and allergens. The danger is real,” one official noted.
For now, consumer rights advocates are urging shoppers to remain vigilant when purchasing high-value personal care items online.
Warning signs to look out for include: prices that seem unreasonably low, sellers unwilling to meet in person or share detailed product images, requests for upfront payment without a receipt, and reliance solely on private messaging apps without any verified e-commerce footprint.
Until proper enforcement action is taken, consumers are being advised to steer clear of “Nukia Best” and any vendors operating under the phone numbers mentioned, as the list of alleged victims continues to grow by the day.
