A Kenyan by the name Paul M. Gikuri has narrated how he was conned while he was selling items on OLX.His raw story is as below:
Today being a Saturday I opted just to remain in my room and take a rest, at one point i thought of sorting my room and sell some items that i no longer use, the first channel that came to my mind was OLX. So i took my time captured the photos of the items i wanted to sell and posted on OLX .Two hours later i got an inquiry on one of the items i posted which was infinix zero 4(x555) from one mr. john(as per the true caller) through phone number +254751 540159 He asked whether the phone is still available and whether i had the receipts and the box. He went ahead and asked if i will be comfortable to give a copy of my ID in case of anything after i sell the phone to him. I said no problem. We agreed on the price and he requested if i can take the phone to him in Nairobi CBD,he added that he will be going back to Nakuru later in the day and he had come to Nai today to buy a phone from a friend who failed him.I reluctantly agreed but thought since i am not doing anything i can go.I left and on arrival to CBD john was there waiting form me.We meet at junction of Accra road and river road where he showed me one of the hotel opposite the 2NK matatu stage and told me that it is their investment with other three partners(this was to prepare me on something).He then said we can’t do business on the road so we should go seat somewhere as we transact.We went to a nearby hotel near the modern coach bus stage.He bought a soda for himself and for me too.I then handed over the phone to him,he checked and agreed that he can go ahead and buy the phone as earlier agreed.He immediately called (guess was a fake call) and asked the recipient to send one of the staff to where we were with some money he left on his office desk. I thought this is a done deal. We went ahead chatting about business, families etc and how he had taken his wife’s phone just to keep himself connected throughout the day. Whoever was sent seemed to delay and he made the second call where he was told that whoever could be sent had gone to the supermarket for some shopping and the moment he is back,he will come with the money,we agreed to wait as we talk and if he takes longer we can just go to the office i pick.At this time he had already gained my trust, I therefore went ahead to reset the phone to factory defaults and handed it over to him. After about 20minutes he proposed we just pass by the hotel he showed me earlier as i pick the money. He called again and instructed the recipient to keep the money ready we will be picking by ourselves. He paid the bills and off we went. On arrival at the ‘office’ hotel he showed me where to sit and told one of the waiter that he had a visitor, he then proceeded through the back door to the verge. I immediately asked the waiter if he knew the guy and he said No. Thats when i realised nimeibiwa mchana…i called the number once and it wasn’t answered confirming my fears.I thought to report to the central police station and to my surprise they know that this thing is happening every day.I wondered why they can’t warn the public coz am sure if i have heard a single warning i would have been more cautious. Guys be cautious with any stranger you are dealing with no matter how well-groomed they are,no matter how well they sweet talk you, just be on lookout… Take care..