This archive report was first published on 21 September 2019.
Land-buying scams are a common occurrence in Kenya, with many people falling victim to them every year.
One such scam was experienced by the author and a friend, Wakaba, six years ago.
They had decided to buy land in Mwingi, with an acre going for Sh100,000, which seemed like a fair deal.
However, things took a turn for the worse when they met the seller, Maingi, who seemed to be evading them.
Despite their efforts to find the land, they were left stranded in Mwingi for five hours, only to realize that they had been conned.
Maingi later revealed that there was no land to sell, and that he had been playing them all along.
The author reflects on the experience, highlighting the importance of being well-educated when buying a property.
He also notes that it's essential to be cautious and not to fall for scams, as they can be costly and time-consuming.
As the author says, 'Make sure you're well-educated when buying a property. Either that or make sure you come back with a hilarious story when you get conned.'
