Investors and chamas seeking land acquisition in the highly demanded Juja Farm in Kiambu County have been warned of fake land owners and brokers in the area.
News of the Greater Eastern Bypass passing through the area a few years ago caused land prices in the area to skyrocket due to the high demand.
This demand also brought conmen who work hand in hand with corrupt officials in the lands ministry and well-connected lawyers to milk unsuspecting buyers dry.
"Many people particularly those naive in land transactions have lost a lot of money to these cartels. Those who opt for shortcuts end up victims," said James Munyori a land developer in the area.
Andrew Mwangi who is a primary school teacher fall into the hands of these dealers and lost hard earned savings.
"I thought I had achieved my dream of acquiring a prime land only to realise I had been duped," recalled Mwangi.
Buyers have been advised to carry out a detailed research on the legal owner of the land before concluding any deal.
"Follow strictly the laid down procedures and don't just trust anybody. When a deal becomes sweet think twice," advised Rose Muthoni a real estate agent.
The illegal trade has gone to the extent that temporary notices of land not for sale are removed and land sold off to unsuspecting buyers. Most absentee landowners have put up permanent notices to the public.