This archive report was first published on 22 September 2019.
On Mombasa Road, a skyscraper has become a hub for a sophisticated building materials scam. The project, which started in 2017, has been used as a bait to con unsuspecting developers out of their money.
According to eyewitnesses, the scammers approach their victims, often posing as contractors or suppliers of building materials, and promise them cheap deals. They would then arrange for a meeting at a food court in Nextgen Mall, where the money would be handed over in cash without being counted.
However, when the victims arrive at the building to collect their materials, they are left stranded. The scammers would then pretend to go and look for the materials, only to disappear with the money.
One of the victims, Peter Mwangi, a Thika-based transporter and property developer, had a close call with the scammers. He was approached by a scout who promised him cheap steel bars, but when he arrived at the building, he realized that he had been duped.
Another victim, David Kioko, was scouted from Chokaaa in Machakos County by a man who visited his construction site and befriended him. Kioko was promised a deal on cement at a discounted price of Sh400 per bag, but when he arrived at the building to collect his materials, he was left stranded.
The police have received numerous cases of this scam since 2017, with as many as five cases a day being reported at Lang'ata Police Station, especially on weekends. The police are urging the public to be cautious when dealing with strangers who promise them cheap deals on building materials.
A senior DCI officer in Nairobi said that there has been an alarming number of cases emanating from the same building. He added that the police are working to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
When contacted, Spartan Developers Limited, the company behind the project, expressed shock and horror at the revelation. They said that they had no idea that their project had been used as a bait by criminals and promised to put up a sign warning people that they are not selling any materials.
