So utadoo? Utaretaliate!
by Celli Mboya (CA)
September 1, 2025
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!
Share your thoughts?
Comments (12)
Sphinx
November 4, 2025
You've taken one of the most expensive lessons life can offer and turned it into a story that will probably save ten of your friends from the same fate. You've graduated from the University of Hard Knocks with a Masters in Street Smarts. That wisdom? Priceless. Thanks for being so brave and human and sharing this. It takes guts. Now, go conquer the world scammers be damned! 💪✨
❤️1(1)🍫LEE🦋
October 30, 2025
😭😭😭Very painful but itabidi umeretaliate cause I can also relate ......And this is how my grandmothers money went before she passed away and guess what ........I was the one having her phone😭😭
😂1(1)Rajab
October 29, 2025
I can relate, me it was with the Whatsapp status views 😅🤣😅😅😅😅... great work SUPERWOMAN 🦸♀️
❤️1(1)The nameless flower
October 28, 2025
Waaa siwezi , half a million , nichikiwe to niende mbiguni
Sam
October 9, 2025
conversationally funny at times, yet painfully real makes it so relatable. There’s a deeper sadness beneath the humor that sense of betrayal by a system that’s supposed to protect us, and the helplessness that comes when even the police can’t help.
😂1(1)Dan✌️✌️
September 22, 2025
I don't know but am in mixed reactions right now,,were I feel sad for u and the other side seeing the craft that dude did am just astonished 😲 😯 😅💯,,mehn keep up the good work 👏 really enjoying it👌😉
😂2❤️1(3)Anonymous
September 22, 2025
Retaliate
❤️1😢1(2)Maseno university Otieno Linox
September 21, 2025
Great,true depiction of fraudsters and their manipulative stunts
Papiiii
September 17, 2025
Ku retaliate ni constant 😂😂the pain after the aftermath 🤦🏾♂️😂
Parisi L.
September 13, 2025
😂😂 ..victim here eti WhatsApp viewers. People are learning wizi more than legal careers. Ukicomplain wanakuambia karibu Kenya.
Main Admirer
September 11, 2025
Damn.... Half a million is crazy... I've kinda gotten the same calls.. But somehow nlimanage kuretaliate kibahati😅😅
👍1(1)Ren
September 8, 2025
Learning through a hard way is so far the most approved safe lesson to self awareness. Utado?utaretaliate? Nah
❤️3(3)
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