This archive report was first published on 4 January 2020.
January 4, 2020, marked a day when the internet was abuzz with the story of a Kenyan lawyer, Steve Ogolla, who fell victim to a love scam. He met a woman on Facebook, dated her online, and sent her half a million shillings to plan their wedding.
However, the woman allegedly broke off the relationship and took off with the money, leaving the lawyer high and dry. The incident sparked a heated debate, with many questioning the lawyer's judgment in sending such a large sum of money to someone he had just met online.
But what's more surprising is how the woman has been lauded for her 'wit' in pulling off the scam. This reaction is hardly surprising, given the prevalence of scams in our society. However, it's time we stop rewarding con artists and start recognizing the harm they cause.
Love scams are not new, and they have been around for a long time. In 2019, we saw several cases of men and women who used their charm and lies to empty the wallets and bank accounts of unsuspecting victims. We are a generation that is obsessed with the good life, and it's easy to get fascinated with someone who can use their quick wit to get this life.
However, we need to stop glorifying con artists and start recognizing the harm they cause. Someone who worms their way into another's heart, wins their trust, and then empties their bank accounts or takes off with their life's savings is worse than a man who grabs and runs off with a purse in town.
Let's stop shooting movies that portray men and women who use their good looks and charm to get things they haven't earned as cool. We live in a time where we have to trust strangers sometimes several times in a day just to get through the day. Someone who gets scammed isn't necessarily stupid; they could have just been trying to believe in the good.
