Published on 27/02/2025
Mary’s (not her real name) voice trembled as she spoke, anger and regret woven into every word. “It was the darkest moment of my life,” she whispered, haunted by the memory. A single click—one impulsive decision—sent her life into a downward spiral. What began as desperation turned into a nightmare beyond her worst fears. Now, she fights to reclaim her voice from the shadows of the past.
A Desperate Search for Opportunity
Mary had been job hunting for months after her contract ended. Bills were piling up, and the stress of uncertainty weighed heavily on her. Like many Kenyans looking for work, she joined a WhatsApp group for job seekers, hoping for leads and opportunities. The group was always buzzing with shared tips, alerts, and job openings.
Then, one afternoon, someone posted a link. It was for a “UNICEF financial empowerment program”, claiming to offer cash grants to job seekers. The post even included a mobile money confirmation screenshot—Ksh31,400 deposited from the program. People in the group barely talked about it. Perhaps they chose to grab the opportunity secretly. Mary thought.
She hesitated but then thought, Why not? After all, she was desperate for financial relief. What could she possibly lose? She had nothing to lose. She felt a surge of hope and excitement yet nervous which made her sweat a little.
She says she felt jitters like someone just before walking into an interview room. An opportunity was at hand.
She clicked.
A Click That Changed Everything
Immediately, she was redirected to a WhatsApp chat where an “agent” guided her on how to claim the grant. The process seemed simple. Click a link, enter her personal details and boom! The grant would be unlocked.
Immediately after clicking ”submit”, Mary’s phone screen went black. Confused, she tried restarting it. Even plugging it into a charger though she was sure her phone was at least halfway charged. When it finally powered back on, she realized everything was gone—her contacts, her photos, her messages, her documents.
Her heart sank. Her knees became weak and her mouth dry. She felt like she had been hit so hard yet so abruptly.
But before she could even process what was happening, calls started coming in.
“Mary, are you sending me a link? What’s this UNICEF thing you’re talking about?”
She hadn’t sent anything. The scammers had hijacked her WhatsApp and were now using her contact list to target her friends and family. Within hours, several people she knew fell victim and sent money to the culprits—believing she was recommending the program.
The Aftermath: Shame, Blame, and Loss
Mary wasn’t just scammed; she was now being blamed for scamming others.
“Some friends stopped talking to me. They thought I was part of it,” she says. The judgment was relentless. People whispered about her, some mocking her for being so “gullible.”
“How could you fall for that? Weren’t you careful? We thought “umechanuka”
The worst part? She started questioning herself too.
She was lucky to act fast and block her mobile money accounts before the scammers could access them. But the emotional toll was far greater.
What You Need to Know About Phishing Scams
Phishing scams use fake messages, links, and websites to trick people into giving away passwords, PINs, or access to their accounts. Once they have control, they can steal money, impersonate victims, and spread scams to even more people. Scammers prey on greed, fear, hope, and desperation. They know that when you’re struggling, you might let your guard down.
Who Is at Risk?
Everyone. But some groups are more vulnerable:
- Job Seekers – Scammers use fake job offers and grants to lure victims.
- Frequent Internet Users – The more you browse, the higher your risk of encountering fake links.
- The Unemployed and Youths – Many are desperate for financial opportunities, making them easy targets.
- Elderly – Older adults may struggle with technology and are more likely to trust messages from familiar contacts, especially through platforms like WhatsApp.
- Small Business Owners – Scammers promise fake loans or business grants.
How to Protect Yourself
- NEVER click on random links – No matter how real they seem, always verify before clicking.
- VERIFY every opportunity – If it’s legit, there will be official sources to confirm it.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) – This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts.
- ACT FAST if something feels off – Block accounts, notify your loved ones and report suspicious activity.
- SPREAD AWARENESS – Share the warnings and experiences so that others don’t fall for the same tricks.
Final Warning: No One Is Immune
Mary’s story is a painful reminder that scams don’t just happen to “careless” people—they can happen to any of us.
“If I can fall for it, so can someone else,” she says. “I just hope my story stops even one more person from making the same mistake.”
The internet is full of traps. Stay sharp. Stay sceptical. And most importantly—do not click on suspicious links.
