A Bomet woman is asking the public to help her identify a man who allegedly tricked her into handing over KSh 100,000 in a well-planned M-Pesa scam, an incident that later cost her the job she depended on.
The woman says she decided to share her story so that other people can help her trace the suspect and also avoid falling victim to similar fraud.
According to her account, the man approached her and requested help to withdraw money from his M-Pesa account.
He claimed that he had already made a withdrawal but that the confirmation message had delayed.
The woman explained that the suspect spoke confidently and acted calmly, making his story seem believable.
The suspect reportedly told her that the system had already processed the withdrawal even though his phone had not received the confirmation message.
He then insisted that she should give him the cash equivalent of the supposed withdrawal—KSh 100,000—while the message “caught up.” Trusting his explanation, she handed over the money, thinking she was simply completing the transaction for a customer.
Immediately after receiving the cash, the man disappeared.
He left behind a national ID card and a phone, which made the woman believe he might return.
However, minutes later, it became clear he had no intention of coming back.
The ID card left at the scene bore the name Peter Okwena, allegedly from Kitutu, and the first M-Pesa message the woman saw was linked to the number 0725 203 548.
When she attempted to verify the transaction again, she realized there was no actual withdrawal and that she had been manipulated.
Her employer held her responsible for the missing money, leading to her losing her job. Shocked and devastated, she turned to the authorities for help.
The matter was reported at Bomet Police Station, where officers have started investigations.
Police are reviewing the ID card, the mobile phone left behind, and the numbers involved to determine whether they belong to the suspect or if they were deliberately abandoned to confuse the investigation.
Officers say they are exploring all possibilities, including whether the documents may have been stolen or used as part of a larger fraud scheme.
The woman is now appealing to anyone who may recognize the man or know his whereabouts to share any useful information.
She believes someone, either from Bomet or Kitutu, might identify him from the ID details or recall seeing him before the incident.
Security experts in the region have also warned residents to be extra careful when assisting strangers with M-Pesa transactions.
By Nairobi