This archive report was first published on 21 June 2021.
On Monday, June 21, 2021, a group of Nairobians took to the streets to confront a suspected group of scammers operating in the city's central business district (CBD). The residents, tired of being targeted by the con artists, pelted stones at the scammers' vehicle, a grey Toyota Noah, as the suspects attempted to flee.
According to eyewitnesses, the scammers had been operating in the area, using various tactics to lure unsuspecting citizens into parting with their valuables. These tactics included 'scratch to win' games, purchasing multiple gadgets at cheap prices, and gambling games where victims were asked to identify shuffled cards containing money beneath.
At times, the scammers would use free merchandise to lure people in before defrauding them. They would often park their cars in busy areas, such as matatu terminals, where they could target people heading to or returning from work.
However, their tactics were exposed when a group of citizens, fed up with being scammed, took matters into their own hands. They broke down the vehicle's windowpanes and stole the valuables inside, leaving the scammers to flee for safety.
The police were criticized for failing to arrest the suspects and follow up on reported cases. However, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has since cracked down on a number of syndicates in the CBD, arresting some of the con artists.
Despite these efforts, some citizens have raised concerns that some of the con artists enjoy police protection, allowing them to continue operating in the area.
