How I Was Conned While Looking for a Bedsitter in Ruaka

House hunting in Nairobi can push you into making quick decisions—especially when rent looks affordable. Unfortunately, that urgency is exactly what scammers take advantage of.

This is my real experience, shared to help others avoid falling into the same trap.

How It Started

While looking for a bedsitter in Ruaka, I came across a poster on an electricity pole advertising an available unit. The rent was Ksh 6,500, which sounded reasonable for the area.

I called the number on the poster and spoke to a man who introduced himself as Kamau. He sounded elderly, calm, and trustworthy. He confidently told me the bedsitter was available.

The Hook: Attractive Photos and a “Good Deal”

Kamau explained that:

• Monthly rent was Ksh 6,500
• Total amount required was Ksh 13,000 (rent + deposit)

He then sent very beautiful photos of the house via WhatsApp. The house looked clean, modern, and well-finished—exactly what I was looking for.

He said I needed to send a small amount to “book” the house, as many people were interested. To avoid missing out, I sent Ksh 1,000.

The Pressure Tactic

A few hours later, Kamau called again.

He said:

• Another person was interested in the same house
• Some repairs needed to be done
• The house could be taken if I didn’t act fast

Because he sounded like an old man—and seemed genuine—I trusted him.

Without viewing the house physically, I sent the remaining Ksh 12,000 to fully secure the bedsitter.

The Moment I Knew I Had Been Conned

Immediately after sending the money:

• My calls stopped going through
• WhatsApp messages were no longer delivered
• Shortly after, I realized I had been blocked completely

Kamau disappeared.

No house.
No refund.
Just silence.

Lessons From This Experience

This scam taught me painful but important lessons:

❌ Never Pay Before Viewing a House

No matter how good the photos look—photos can be stolen from real listings.

❌ Don’t Trust Posters on Poles

Most genuine landlords now advertise through verified property platforms, not handwritten posters.

❌ Avoid “Booking Fees”

There is no legitimate reason to pay before physically seeing a house.

❌ Urgency Is a Red Flag

Phrases like “someone else wants it” or “repairs need money urgently” are classic scam tactics.

How You Can Avoid This

• Always physically view the house
• Confirm the exact location and unit
• Deal with verified agents or platforms
• Use trusted sites like masion.co.ke to find genuine houses to let

Learn more about Ruaka & Its Neighbourhood

If this story saves even one person from losing their hard-earned money, then sharing it is worth it.

House hunting should be exciting—not traumatic.

👉 Browse verified houses to let safely on masion.co.ke