On a serious note ! Let’s dive into the world of trust issues, especially in business Throughout my journey in life, I’ve faced many instances of broken trust—Not just in romantic relationships, but mainly in business and investments.

Not long ago, I wanted to buy a piece of furniture. I had been eyeing an Instagram page with lots of followers, great reviews, and beautiful pictures. I figured Mombasa might not offer the quality I was looking —As an aesthetic seeker, this page matched my vibe perfectly. So, I took a leap of faith and sent a deposit of almost 10k, excited to receive my furniture within a week, as promised.

But a week came and went, and nothing. I started to worry and messaged the seller, only to receive empty promises. That’s when I decided to do some background checking. I reached out to a friend who had bought from the page before, hoping she could reassure me. Instead, what she told me broke my heart. She said another friend had been conned by the same seller, and it even ended up as a police case about a year ago. Police case? I didn’t have the time or energy for that. I accepted my loss, ranted online, sent some heated messages to the seller, and moved on.

I even tried a little “albadiri” scare—a term used in coastal Kenya for a form of spiritual invocation to seek justice or protection. It’s a blend of local traditions, where people believe invoking “albadiri” can bring consequences to wrongdoers. Does it work? Who knows! I wasn’t really planning to use it; I was just hoping it would make the seller think twice. Desperate times, desperate measures, right?

You’d think I’d learn my lesson. But, a few days ago, I found myself sending money again to a page I had bought from before, hoping for a similar item. Guess what? I got scammed again. No matter how cautious I think I am, I keep ending up trusting the wrong people. These are just but a few examples of my ‘scam capades’.

So, my friends, here are some tips to spot fraudsters from miles away:

• Check Social Media Engagement: If a page has a huge following but few likes and comments, especially if comments are limited, that’s a red flag. For example, a page with 10k followers but only 20 likes and two comments? Run!
• Page History: If the page’s name has changed multiple times in recent months, it’s likely they bought the account. Avoid it!
• Payment Details: If the business doesn’t have a till number or pay bill that matches its name, this could also be a sign of a scam.
• Communication Style: If they try too hard to connect with you on a personal level, be cautious. They might be trying to gain your trust.
• Too Good to Be True: When the deal sounds too good, think twice.

I hope my experience can help others avoid similar situations. Protect your money and do your research before buying anything online. I’ve thought of so many ways the money I lost could have been used to help those in need. We deserve better, and online vendors must do better. There’s no difference between you and a thief breaking into someone’s house—you’re all robbing people of their hard-earned money.

Until next time, stay vigilant. Adios✌🏾