A number of Kenyans recounted their experiences of being scammed by an old lady in Nairobi after a woman opened up on how she was allegedly conned on Saturday, June 20.
The old lady said to be of Asian descent, has been allegedly spotted on several roads in the city, and drives a white Toyota Passo.
With her car sometimes parked by the side of the road, she pretends to be stranded, attracting the attention of motorists and other individuals in the vicinity.
According to multiple allegations, she adopts a kind demeanor and tells her target that she has forgotten her debit card and is out of fuel.
The lady then proceeds to solicit various amounts ranging from Ksh100 to Ksh1,000. One of the apparent victims who recounted his experience recalled his surprise when, after telling the lady that he did not have any money, she proceeded to drive away despite supposedly not having any fuel.
The conversation on her notoriety was triggered by a woman going by the moniker Gathoni on Twitter who gave an account of how she was allegedly scammed.
"I’ve been conned by a grandmother in Kileleshwa. She called me darling and said she had no fuel and she has forgotten her debit card and she only wanted a hundred bob. It’s all I had in my wallet, so I gave her," she disclosed.
Her post inspired responses from other Kenyans who had encountered the woman, many claiming to have parted with various amounts after falling for the scam.
Other than claiming to have no fuel, accounts show that she also sometimes gets people's attention by claiming to be lost, stranded, or having mechanical issues with her vehicle.
She has been spotted in areas including Kileleshwa, Kilimani, Oloitoktok Road, Ridgeways, Karen, Lavington, Elgon Road, Laico Regency and GPO - in Nairobi.
"That's always her line. She scammed me once. An innocent-looking Asian grandma," wrote Tony Okong'o.
"I offered to pay for her fuel request at a petrol station after filling up. She refused and drove off instead!" wrote George Watsulu.
"I gave her Ksh500 about a month ago telling me she's stranded. It was along Limuru Road and she had her blinkers on," shared one DNM.
It wasn't the first time accusations were being leveled against the woman, with some people claiming to have been scammed by her as long as six years ago.
Several cases have been reported of robbers posing as stranded motorists on Kenyan roads before taking advantage of unsuspecting motorists.
Caution has been advised when approached by supposedly stranded motorists seeking fairly agreeable interventions.
