Nairobi con men are getting smarter these days, and have devised smarter ways of stealing people's valuables.
Here are 5 tricks the con men use to rob you your valuables:
There's a new trick in town where con artists are masquerading as your kids' teachers.
You receive a text saying, " Dear parent, your child is very sick and he/she needs to be rushed to hospital"
Since parents would do anything for their children, you fall into this trap and quickly send the stated amount. Stay woke! Most of these people are con men.
Some con artists are now using 'juju' to steal from them.
A pretty and decent lady walks towards you with a warm, friendly smile while reaching for a handshake.
Once you shake her hand, you instantly get confused, and sometimes nauseated. At this point, her wish will be your command as you'll find yourself doing anything she asks you to, from sharing your pin numbers to giving out your phone, wallet, laptop and any valuable item you have.
Another notorious trick is around matatu stages.
An old lady comes to you saying she's from upcountry, so she requests you to dial his son's number so he can come pick her up. As kind-hearted as you are, you dial the number but it goes unanswered.
As you get into the matatu, an accomplice notices you and gets into the same matatu. He'll then raise an alarm that someone has stolen his phone, and requests someone to dial his "number" so he can trace it. As clueless as you are, your phone rings and now everyone thinks you're the thief.
Before you know it blows and kicks are raining your way before you get a chance to explain yourself.
Nairobi con men have also devised a way of using money to get to you.
You're walking busy minding your business then someone approaches you smiling while handing you 1000 shilling note. Confused but excited, you reach for the money and few minutes later you start feeling dizzy and pass out. Hours later, you find yourself besides Nairobi river with your phone gone and an empty wallet.
Another common trick happens while you're in a matatu.
You're in a matatu just chilling while waiting to reach your destination then suddenly someone shouts there's a crackdown and people should fasten their seat belts.
As you panic and try to reach for yours, boom! all your valuables gone. Some even pretend to assist you with the seat belt and in the process reach for your bag or pockets and steal any valuable they find.