Nothing beats an M-PESA confirmation message that, “You have received Ksh. 475000 from Hawi Alunga 0799234061 on 27/8/2025 at 9:06 AM. New M-PESA balance is Ksh 3.83….” He was Excited! I knew he was. I just knew it. After tricking me to withdraw all my cash. That night, it was such a long night.

Just that week, I had been scammed 6000 Ksh. I didn’t know that even old grandmas scam Gen-Zs. All this had happened a week before I joined campus. I’m sure my friend Deborah Ojuslo can relate.

But was this the start though? Hell, Naaah! It wasn’t. It was that gap year immediately after high school. That time when I was desperate for money. Those fake online marketing jobs. Do you remember Pieree Wave Agency? And what about Gesus Marketing Inc? Hata wewe ukifikiria tu. Who can give you money according to the number of views on WhatsApp? Who does that? You know whaaat…

I wasn’t alone. My classmates were also posting those products. And just for money, I was dragged in.

Doing the math at 2 a.m, I thought of becoming a millionaire at 18. Maaad right? Save for save became the trend. I added new numbers to my contact list just to add the number of views. Akhi Pesa wewe! Eagerly waiting for the end of the month. I saw darkness.

It started with Ojuslo’s phone being hacked by the product’s agent. With zero knowledge in cyber security, we failed to do anything. Not knowing that we were creating space for my big showdown.

We talk about ‘kismat’ but this was a different ‘kapepo’. A dark one in fact. Losing money that same week was a bad omen. It was never an owl hooting on our house. This was a direct message. Karibu Kanairo, Karibu Kenya Masterclass 101.

The call:

I was locking the door to go to church. I guess by now you might have figured out I am an SDA. Then the call happened! That lifetime call. Waiting for me to change a thirsty life out there. A life that depended on scams.

This is Oswire Jwire from Safaricom. Is this Hawi Alunga on the line?.

Me: Yes

There is a problem with your line. The system shows that you are sharing your number with Pensa Loitok, so I'm calling to confirm when you took your line.

Me: I took it this year.

In order to make this number fully yours. We need to verify a couple of things. Dail *884#....Is this number connected to a bank or M-shwari?

Me: Yes, the bank. I don’t have M-shwari.

Since it is connected to the bank, in order to be safe, you can withdraw the money from the bank and put on the mpesa in order to resolve this misunderstanding.

Me: Are you sure that it is safe?

Yes it is. Just follow what I say, all will be well. Go to your M-Pesa account and write 00000475000.

Me: Okay…(After a minute)...But it shows that I’ve sent money to Pensa Loitok.

That’s okay. Because he owns the line right now. But after sorting the line the whole amount will be back to your account….I’m sending you a code via WhatsApp. Then you respond to that. I’m calling you in a short while.

Me:... Let me call him…. (I was getting impatient)...

*The person your are calling cannot be reached if you wish to leave a voice message then please do so after the tone.....*

I’m sure you can relate with what just happened. I hastily walked to the gate heading to Gatundu road. I couldn’t hold on to the tears. I had been scammed almost half a million. I was heading to the Police Station. Only to get no help but the OB number. That was such an escape. But HALF A MILLION. HALF A MILLION. That was a lot. But, weuh! Sa utadoo? Utaretaliate!

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