Mwash Cyber

A sunny day in Nairobi, despite the month’s cold weather. The rays of sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on my cluttered desk. I was engrossed in my daily shenanigans, juggling tasks and deadlines, when a familiar chirping sound broke through the monotony. It was a WhatsApp message, appearing on my phone’s screen like a beacon of distraction. With a sigh, I reluctantly paused my work and unlocked my phone to see what it was about.

The sender’s name caught my attention: Titus Okwemba. Intrigued by this unexpected message, I couldn’t resist the urge to open it. “Hello,” he greeted me, a simple yet intriguing message that piqued my curiosity.

Out of sheer curiosity, or perhaps due to the innate human tendency to open almost all WhatsApp messages, I replied without much thought: “Hi, How can I help you?”

Little did I know that this seemingly innocent exchange would lead me down a rabbit hole of deception and scams. Titus proceeded to ask me a rather peculiar question: “Do you watch UTV?” Confused yet intrigued, I responded, “Once in a while. Why do you ask?”

Titus then launched into an explanation about a show on UTV called “Anita,” which apparently rewarded fans with a hefty sum of 65,000/= as a promotional offer. A sense of skepticism crept into my mind. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was just another elaborate scam, preying on unsuspecting individuals.

Despite my reservations, I found myself increasingly invested in this conversation. There was a part of me that relished the opportunity to expose masqueraders and scammers to unravel the intricacies of their deceitful schemes. So, with a mischievous glimmer in my eye, I encouraged Titus to continue his cheap gimmicks.

Titus promptly shared a new WhatsApp number, 0717***988, which he claimed belonged to Anita from UTV. This was where the real masquerade began. He assumed I was an ardent fan, addressing me with endearing terms like “dear” multiple times throughout our conversation.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to play along with the charade. When asked about my occupation, I couldn’t resist a little embellishment. “Everybody knows Martin Mbucho is the best Kenyan author and blogger,” I thought to myself. But to keep the ruse going, I replied, “I am a mechanic.” This little white lie would allow me to delve deeper into his theatrical scam.

Titus grew visibly excited, eager to know how I had come across the WhatsApp channel and the Anita Show promotion on UTV. I concocted a story about a friend referring me to the promotion. I even went as far as mentioning that “Vituko vya Anita” aired on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on UTV, just to make his scam talk more believable.

In the midst of our conversation, Titus dropped a list of personal details he required from me: legal name, age, phone number, county, and ID number. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the audacity of his request. With a mischievous grin, I decided to provide him with false information, knowing full well that the game was afoot.

Titus then proceeded to inform me that I was the lucky winner of Kshs 65,000/= for being a fan and thanked me for watching and supporting the show. But hidden within his text was a prompt to pay a registration fee of Kshs 999. Alarm bells rang in my head. This was the point where most scams revealed their true intentions.

To throw Titus off balance, I casually asked, “Do you have a website where I can register and pay?” His response was straightforward: they didn’t have a website, and the number he had provided earlier, 070***789, was the one to use for payment.

Determined to expose his true identity, I decided to play along with his demands. However, instead of offering the full registration fee, I claimed to only have 400 shillings. I asked Titus if he could lend me the remaining 500 shillings, promising to refund him once I had paid. His hesitation was palpable, but he reluctantly agreed, instructing me to send the 400 shillings to the contact he had provided.

As the conversation progressed, a flurry of questions and messages flew back and forth between us. Eventually, Titus called me from a different phone number, 0735***341. He informed me that a friend of mine had already paid a whopping Ksh 299 for the same promotion, leaving only 700 shillings to reach the promised 65,000/= jackpot. My curiosity was piqued. I asked him who this friend was, hoping to catch him off guard. But instead of faltering, he told me to wait for them to check and that he would get back to me.

Unfazed, I returned to the first contact and asked him for the 299 shillings, pretending that if he paid directly, the amount I had won would go to his account rather than mine. The guy wouldn’t want to hear that, I thought. But to my surprise, he hesitated and seemed unsure. It was at this moment that I knew for sure that the two WhatsApp contacts were the same person behind two different personas.

Determined to expose this masquerade, I decided to play along with his demands. I asked the guy if I could send the cash to him so that he could pay for the registration on my behalf. On the other chat, I asked if the number I was supposed to send the money to was the one masquerading as the “good Samaritan” who supposedly linked me to UTV offers. He confirmed that I should send it to phone number 0735***341, pretending like this was a relatively new number. To add to the deception, I asked him about the transaction charges for Airtel, and he offered yet another number, 0712***776, claiming that it would avoid the “crazy charges.”

Despite my efforts, I was unable to make him come clean and admit to his scam. Frustrated but determined, I decided to write this blog post and send it to him. I had nothing to lose, and perhaps by exposing his deceitful tactics, I could save others from falling victim to his scams.

What is the Anita UTV Promotion Scam?

The Anita UTV Promotion scam is a fraudulent scheme where individuals receive messages on WhatsApp and Facebook claiming that they have qualified to win large sums of money. These messages are part of a scam orchestrated by individuals looking to exploit unsuspecting victims for financial gain.

Why is the Anita UTV Promotion a Scam?

The Anita UTV Promotion is a scam because there is no such promotion. The messages are sent by scammers who trick people into believing they have won prizes. The scammers often ask for personal information or payments in return for the supposed winnings, which they then use for their own benefit.

Which Platforms are Used for the Scam?

The scammers primarily use WhatsApp and Facebook to reach their victims. They send messages from their own accounts or even from hacked accounts of friends, making the scam seem more believable.

When Does the Scam Occur?

The scam can occur at any time. Scammers often target vulnerable groups, such as women and the elderly, who they perceive to be more trusting and less familiar with digital scams.

How to Stay Safe

To protect yourself from such scams, always verify the source of the information. If a message seems suspicious, it probably is. Legitimate TV promotions are communicated directly through the official websites and respective TV stations, and payments, if required, are made to registered Paybill and Till numbers. Be skeptical of any message that promises large sums of money, especially if it asks for personal information or payments in return. If you receive a suspicious message, report it to the respective platform and to your local authorities.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Stay vigilant and stay safe.