A Kenyan woman named Vanessa Grace shared a story on her TikTok account about an encounter she and her friend had with a smooth-talking Congolese man at Yaya Centre in Kilimani.
The man, who boasted about being friends with a top political figure, invited them to a “business meeting.”
He suggested the venue and encouraged them to order anything they wanted. After enjoying their meals, the man pretended to take an urgent phone call and disappeared, leaving the ladies to cover the KSh 7,500 bill. He had promised to send them the money later but never did.
Vanessa revealed that the man regularly frequents Yaya Centre, looking for women to target with his scams. She recounted how he claimed he was too busy to return and promised to settle the bill, which never happened.
The video of her experience has gone viral, sparking discussions among Kenyan women, who are now sharing their own experiences and advice on how to avoid being scammed on first dates.
In response to the video, many women highlighted similar situations they had encountered. One user, Sh_arz, commented, “The moment he mentioned he’s friends with the deputy president, you should have known it wouldn’t end well!” Another, Churchill Wuod Asembo, humorously added, “Are people still being taught how to survive in the city?”
Other users provided practical advice and insights. For instance, Beth Kasinga remarked, “You all entertained a stranger too easily.”
Danis_Choice shared a personal red flag, saying, “Anyone who starts bragging about knowing powerful people on the first meeting is an instant no for me.
That’s a huge red flag.” Similarly, Wanjiru mentioned that she had also met the same man but ignored him, noting that his approach was far from what a genuine businessman would do.
One particularly humorous comment came from Stellakamau06, who joked, “As someone who’s broke, I know broke people’s habits. If a guy eats like it’s his last meal, that’s a sign—run!”
The reactions show that many women in Nairobi are becoming more aware of the tricks scammers use, especially in situations involving food or business proposals.
While some responses are light-hearted, the underlying message is clear: be cautious of strangers who make grand promises or seem too eager to impress on the first meeting.
