Conmaship in Kenya does assume many faces, some of which are so obvious while others are almost completely obscured from reality.
The most common form of conmanship begins with a simple call or text message from an unknown number claiming to have sent money on the mobile phone by mistake.
While others are a little more complex, but always with a gentle touch of pressure and almost unbelievable promises.
Kenyan conmen often strike when least expected, and quite often, they have no respect for anyone - not even the President.
Some of the victims of conmanship in Kenya include former President, Members of Parliament, businessmen and women, and even children, as follows:
Stake: Ksh10 Million Fraud Case
Victims: Uhuru Kenyatta, Naushad Merali, Akif Butt
On February 27, 2019, former President Uhuru Kenyatta's name was dragged into a fraud case, in which a group of conmen successfully managed to run away with Ksh10 million.
The men who were later charged in court managed to swindle Ksh10 million from tyre firm Sameer Africa boss Naushad Merali and his finance director Akif Butt after pretending to be the former President.
The group of seven conmen staged one of the most daring thefts in the name of a Head of State, especially, by making a perfect imitation of Uhuru's voice, and asking the two businessmen to 'buy his piece of land.'
According to court documents, one of the accused fraudsters impersonated Kenyatta’s voice, while the others arrived in fancy vehicles and suits to collect the money.
Stake: Ksh76 Million
Victim: Danson Mungatana
Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana on October 6, 2022, shocked Kenyans when he revealed that he lost all investment in a get-rich-quick scheme that never materialized.
Mungatana told the court that the accused had obtained money with the false pretense that he could help the Tana River Senator invest his money.
According to Mungata, he received a double profit on his first investment of Ksh500,000, hence gaining more trust in the man.
Mungatana then released a further Ksh5 million which he got Ksh10 million in profit from the opaque investment.
"I was very happy when I was told there's another opportunity to invest," said Mungatana.
After hesitation, Mungatana agreed to invest further after selling nearly all his wealth.
This time, however, Mungatana gave out his money then Kouro disappeared in thin air, and just like that Mungatana had lost over Ksh76 million.
Stake: Ksh22 million
Victims: UK Hotels and Saudian Adnan Khashoggi
One Fred Ochieng fooled people beyond Kenyan borders when he claimed that he was Mohammed Khashoggi, son of Saudi billionaire and arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi.
Ochieng who was well prepared with newspaper articles, strangely, managed to convince his victims in Mombasa and London that he was able to take care of a Ksh22 million bill.
It took the management of one prestigious hotel the whole of 1994 to discover that the man they had contracted to play the piano was a confidence trickster.
Later in 1988, a British court convicted the then-26-year-old Ochieng of fraud and theft and jailed him for four years.
Stake: Kenyan National Hero
Victim: Kenyan Government
In 2003, an Ethiopian by Lemma Ayanu temporarily became Kenya's national hero after claiming to be the missing Mau Mau leader, General Mathenge.
Despite the Ethiopian government's protestations, Ayanu flew to Nairobi and was well-received by dignitaries.
At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Ayanu was received by top government officials who accorded him the best possible hospitality.
Ayanu had come to Kenya with three relatives who also claimed to have fought the British during the Mau Mau struggles.
However, the Ethiopian Embassy insisted that Ayanu was an ordinary farmer and wondered why the Kenya government was carrying a DNA test on him.
Ethiopia's stand was reinforced by former Mau Mau leaders who also dismissed his credentials.
Ayanu could not speak Kikuyu language and only spoke Amharic. At the end of the Gen Mathenge episode, the government had gobbled about Sh1.5 million in accommodation, transport, and meals.
