Thread by @paushinski

THIS IS A TRUE STORY.
#IKnowAGuy Chapter II:

A while back I posted some of my photography gear on OLX, and I fell into the hands of some crazy robbery drama. And I ended up in so much trouble.

TOO MUCH. 😭😭😭

Getting out of it, was purely God's grace.
.
A THREAD.

Lets go!

I needed to let go of some gear so I took them and share on my socials and my photography whatsapp groups and pages.

Total Cost: 420K.

There was little movement and conversation over it. And then someone told me, 'I know a guy who bought my stuff off OLX.' I was like, Bingo.

I was not new to OLX. I bought a camera grip off the platform. But while at agency, I worked extensively on OLX as a brand, developing campaigns, pushing recruitment, youth engagement, campus activations etc.

I'd heard stories of conmen on the app but I'd never experienced it.

Within 2 hours of posting, I had answered so many inquiry calls. The usual,

‘How much are you selling it?’
‘How long have you used it?’
‘Why are you selling it?’
‘Is it fixed price ama it’s negotiable?’
‘Bei ya mwisho?’
'Can we see it?'
'Can I pay in instalments?'

I answer all.

Two 'interested buyers' stand, because they are willing to even send a deposit. And want everything immediately.

I'm excited.

The first guy is called Moze. We agree on the timing of the viewing. The second guy is called 'Dr. Mutua.' Mutua is very assertive and wants them all.

For the meeting, I tell the area security whats going on and they are aware.

It's delicate planning coz Dr. Mutua guy first said he is a surgeon in Kenyatta, then he wants me to go to Dagoreti Corner or can he come to my house. Then can he send a driver to pick me.

I chuja him.

The day I chuja him, several hour later, another Dr. Mwaura calls me, but I fail to make a very critical connection. The accent. He tells me his son wants to start a studio and is willing to pay for everything.

'In fact, toa hizo vitu OLX saa hii.'

Nikatoa, tukapanga mkutano.

I make sure the meet is at the same place on the same day, back to back. It's at the restaurant in All Saints and the security team is aware.

I sit in a car near the gate so that I see these guys coming and if they are alone. Moze comes first. Goes to restaurant then calls me.

I don't want him to see the car. I tell him to wait there. I take the security, take the stuff to him and he checks them out.

And then he tells me the truth, his gear was stolen and he wanted to see if it was his. He is disappointed but it's ok.

He heads out towards the gate.

At the gate he stops to say hi to some guy. And then he continues. I miss another red flag.

Dr. Mwaura had told me he is having surgery at Nairobi hospital but he will send a guy who works at Nation.

The guy comes. He is obviously a smoker & drinker. He doesn't look Nationish.

He sits at a table orders tea, and then calls me, and then I call him to my table at the centre of the restaurant.

He looks at the stuff, and then he tells me he works at The Standard.

Mmmm...

He says the things are in order and then the games begin.

He says he doesn't have credo I lend him my phone to call Dr. Mwaura.

I tell him I don't have credo. Because in that same church another chic borrowed a phone to make a call and she went with everything plus the sim card.

TRASH!

He says Let me okoa.

Me: Jibambe buda.

Homeboy calls Dr. Mwaura and they vibe in... wait for it... wait for it... KAO.

Then he tells me, he has put in a good word for me, I should even buy him tea.

I pay for his tea, anyway, coz it my meeting. And then he leaves. He asks if I can drop him somewhere, I tell him 'Zi.'

A few hours later Dr. Mwaura calls. He is happy, in fact he wants the things ASAP.

Him: Can I pay in 2 instalments?
Me: Zi.
Him: Can we meet somewhere after 5?
Me: Zi.

He says he can pay 320 cash for everything. I say 380 minimum. He says 350 basi.

I agree. He says he'll call.

It's a Tuesday. On Wednesday he calls and says he has surgery out of town and he wants to get the things for his some, MOSES.

Another freaking Red Flag I missed.

I tell him cash or MPESA at my bank.

He starts oh, you don't trust me, that's not how to do business, I'm a doctor.

I tell him, I am not giving anything until I get cash.

And then he gets me... He says, 'Basi nitumie number yako ya account, niweke cash, alafu nitatuma Moze akujie hizo vitu kesho.’

And stupid me, gives him the account details.

Kidogo kidogo, 'Chwi chwi', bank notification.

A Cheque for 350k has been deposited.

And then I get a text from him that the bank has refused to give him cash because he had already withdrawn a lot for his trip. So ameweka bankers cheque.

Me: Sawa. Tubonge kesho.

Next day he starts calling me twice every hour. Ananistress.

I insist, when the cash has cleared, tubonge.

Then the threats, you are a conman, we will send the cops, nini nini... It's too much.

I break. I'm about to tell him, either cancel the cheque or let it clear. I tell him tuma mtu mkujie hizo vitu 5 All Saints.

Anazitaka asubuhi.

Next day, Friday, I have everything. Planning to go down to hand over the gear.

I get a call from the Bank.
Hallo. Is this Pau?
‘Yes.’
Is this your account number? 0 Something Something Something?’
‘Yes.’
‘You deposited a cheque of Ks. 350,000, and payment has been declined.’

Nikameza ulimi at the next statement. Because I heard it in slow motion...

‘KINDLY.
TELL.
MR. PATEL.
TO ISSUE.
ANOTHER.
ONE.’

Those words still give me nightmares.

Me: Excuse me? I tell who?
Bank: Tell Mr. Patel, his bank has declined to pay. He needs to issue a new cheque.

Jasho Jembamba my guy.

JASHOOOOOO...

My heart stopped. And in less than 5 Seconds I put 13 and 55 together and completely figured what was going on.

But it was only just the beginning, and it is about to get deadly worse.

#ToBeContinued
#NextWeek
#InkImeisha

A more detailed version of this story can be found here.

web.facebook.com/pau.shinski/po…

Episode 2 is here.

https://twitter.com/paushinski/status/1190947673236484098?s=19