How woman lost Sh800k in herbicide trade scam

Scam stamp. (Courtesy)

A Nairobi businesswoman who was enticed into a nonexistent herbicide business deal is counting loses after she fell for a seemingly lucrative deal with a promise of huge return on investment.

Mercy Waigi Kamau is said to have lost Sh839,500 to Harrison Kaberere Wanjau and  George M’chebere Bundi on diverse dates between May 25 and June 2024.

The duo, including others not before court, are said to have enticed her into channeling her money with the promise that they would incorporate her into buying and selling herbicides that would see her make profits of over Sh400,000.

The accused persons are further said to have conspired to defraud the complainant by falsely presenting themselves as legitimate business partners.

M’chebere is reportedly said to have introduced the complainant into the business that-never-was having built trust owing to their friendship.

He informed her that since they were the suppliers of the herbicides and the boosters, she would be buying from them a bottle of the herbicides at Sh15,000 and selling it at Sh18,500.

The complainant saw it had good returns and so she dived into it. Kaberere allegedly made her purchase 36 bottles of the herbicides, investing a good amount of her savings.

At some point, the complainant was told that there was a buyer who wanted to buy the herbicides from her and therefore advised to have the bottles remain in the storage room, of which she was supposed to be paying Sh10,000 fees daily.

Being asked to pay the storage fees daily became a trend, yet she was not getting the proceeds of the sales.

When she realised that she was being taken in circles, she asked for her money back. She had been informed that the amount which she would earn in total from the investment would come to Sh1.2 million.

She soon realised that the deal was a scam and reported the matter to Kasarani Police Station, leading to their arrest of the two accused.

They were granted a cash bail of Sh200,000 or a bond of Sh500,000 pending hearing of the case on April 4 next year.