In a shocking turn of events, Jonah Kariuki, father of Boniface Kariuki—a 22-year-old mask vendor shot by police during protests—fell victim to a cruel scam that saw him lose Ksh 200,000. The con artists posed as representatives of the Social Health Authority (SHA), exploiting the family’s desperation to pay mounting hospital bills.
FALSE PROMISES AND CLEVER DECEPTION
According to the family spokesperson, Emily Wanjiru, the fraudsters contacted Jonah, pretending to be officials from SHA. They promised financial assistance for Boniface’s medical expenses but insisted that the family needed to be registered in the SHA system first.
Believing the scam to be legitimate, Jonah provided personal details, including his M-Pesa PIN, to facilitate the supposed registration. Moments later, his account was wiped clean.
A COSTLY MISTAKE
Jonah confirmed the ordeal, explaining that the scammers initially requested Ksh 20,500. However, during the transaction, he accidentally sent Ksh 200,500, leaving his account empty.
“Yes, it’s true. I was scammed out of Ksh 200,000. It was a mistake. They had asked for Ksh 20,500, but I keyed in Ksh 200,500 during the transaction,” he said.
Adding to the heartbreak, the fraudsters deleted the M-Pesa transaction message and switched off their phone, making recovery efforts more challenging.
AUTHORITIES STEP IN
Jonah has since reported the incident to authorities, who are investigating the case. Meanwhile, he has urged Kenyans to remain vigilant against such scams and reminded them that SHA registration is entirely free.
BONIFACE’S BATTLE FOR LIFE
Boniface Kariuki, the victim of police brutality during the June 17 demonstrations, remains in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). The young vendor has already undergone two complex surgeries to remove bullet fragments lodged in his head.
The family plans to hold a press conference outside KNH to update the public on Boniface’s condition and ongoing efforts to seek justice.
RAISING AWARENESS AGAINST FRAUD
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat of fraudsters exploiting vulnerable individuals during crises. SHA officials reiterated that registration can be done free of charge via USSD, online, or through employer programs, and no payments are required.
As Boniface continues his recovery journey, his family and supporters hope that both justice and financial relief will soon come their way.
