28.05.2006
previous entry Tim Metz |
next entry Tim Metz
Written Diary Tim Metz <tim@outofafrika.org>
The Adventures of Idiot - Nairobi (Kenya)
A peculiar characteristic about scams is that they seem so obvious when you think about them in retrospect, yet at the moment they take place it all makes perfect sense... or to be more specific: you look like a complete idiot when you tell other people about it afterwards!
I've been conned twice in my life now and the first time was in Bangkok. If I recall correctly me and my friends had just arrived from New-Zealand that day. We were in a mixed state of jet-lag and excitement to have landed in unexplored territory (Asia) and felt confident we wouldn't fall for any of the tourist traps listed in the Lonely Planet, as we had been traveling for the past 6 or 7 months; what could happen to us?
To make a long story very short: being tired from flying, thrilled to be in a new country and somewhat over-confident from backpacking for a while, a complete stranger and fellow-"tourist" bumped into us by "accident". He hang out with us for a couple of hours, managed to win our trust but by the end created sudden chaos as we all had to pay way too much for a boat trip we took. We were completely off guard and had to pay almost all the money we had in our pockets for the gondola-ride. Our "friend" almost got in a fight with the owner of the ship, then rushed us off into a tuk tuk, saying he would take care off the guy. It was not until a couple of minutes later we started to realize we had paid $100 for a simple boat ride and our friend was gone. We had been conned by him and the riverboat captain!
Scam number two happened last night I'm afraid. Breaking my rule of only responding to people on the street who call me by my name, I started talking to a guy who claimed to be "a security guard" I knew. The problem with watchmen is that they all look very similar when wearing their uniform and therefore are hard to identify in "civilian" clothes. He could be telling the truth so after inquiring if I knew him from the office in Nairobi, he replied: "No, not from the Chester House! I'm the guard at your neighboring-building in Ruiru, you always greet me!" He said he was on his way there but his car was stuck at the gas station. He had already filled it up, then realized he didn't carry any money with him. If I could pay for his gas?
I was exhausted, and for all I knew, his story could very well be true. When you're very tired, the easiest thing to do is have faith in humankind and not get into an argument. I promised to help him and we chatted a bit walking to the ATM. It was until we got there that he requested 4800 shillings (a lot of money!). It felt strange from that point on, but I just hoped he was telling the truth. I gave him the money, we would meet later that evening in Ruiru that and he would pay me back the money immediately.
Upon arrival in my "hometown" a couple of hours later, I knew I had f**cked up. There were two guards sitting outside the building, but both didn't resemble him. It was then I realized I didn't even know his name, nor did I have a telephone number. On top of that, it was a ridiculous amount of money for a tank of fuel. Time to face reality: I had given 4800 shillings to someone on the streets of Nairobi whom I didn't even recognize or know the name of. Thinking of it like that it sounds like something I would never do. I guess the fact that he knew I was living in Ruiru was what won me over at that moment. Now I realize that's not so hard to find out. He might have been following me before to see me board a matatu to Ruiru, or maybe worse... YOU ARE READING THIS WEBSITE! In that case, I can only congratulate you on good research and some excellent acting. I hope you spend my money well, karibu!
> Want to comment on the issues raised in this entry?
> Go to our forum and start a topic!
Experience
video reports
