Kenyan content creator and forex trader Onyango Tate has claimed that he lost KSh81,000 to a Kenyan man while in South Africa, prompting him to publicly appeal for help in tracing the alleged suspect.
In a video circulating online, Tate displayed an M-Pesa transaction as he explained how he allegedly fell victim to the scam.
He identified the person he claims is behind the incident and offered KSh50,000 to anyone who can provide information that could help locate him.
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“Kenyans are the most wicked people on earth. If you can track him, I will reward you with KSh50,000. I want to teach him a lesson,” Tate said.
Tate Displays M-Pesa Transaction
Tate appeared visibly frustrated as he recounted the alleged incident, using the M-Pesa transaction displayed in his video to support his account of the KSh81,000 loss.
His decision to publicly name the alleged suspect and offer a reward has since sparked reactions online, with some Kenyans urging him to report the matter to the relevant authorities rather than pursue the individual himself.
The allegations, however, remain claims made by Tate, and the suspect has not been allowed to publicly respond to the accusations.
Growing Complaints About Online Cons
Tate’s experience has also brought renewed attention to complaints from Kenyans who say they have been conned while doing business or interacting with people online.
Within Kenya, reports of mobile-money fraud, fake online sellers and impersonation scams have also become a persistent concern.
Social media has made it easier for people to establish connections and conduct transactions remotely, but it has also created opportunities for fraudsters to exploit trust.
Social media has made it easier for people to establish connections and conduct transactions remotely, but it has also created opportunities for fraudsters to exploit trust.
For Kenyans in the diaspora, recovering money can be particularly difficult when the person allegedly involved is thousands of kilometres away.
A Reminder to Verify Before Sending Money
Tate’s allegations have once again highlighted the importance of verifying identities and transactions before sending large amounts of money, particularly when dealing with people met online or through informal arrangements.
While Tate has offered KSh50,000 for information leading to the tracing of the person he has named, the matter would ultimately need to be handled through the appropriate legal channels.
His experience has nevertheless reignited a familiar conversation among Kenyans: how many people have lost money to someone they trusted, only to discover that getting it back is almost impossible?
