An M-Pesa agent suffered significant losses after a man, pretending to be a customer, stole his work phone from the shop counter during lunch hours. The incident, captured on CCTV, shows the suspect making a purchase before seizing the opportunity to take the device.
The footage reveals the suspect approaching the counter, buying exercise books and ballpens, and receiving change as part of a seemingly normal transaction. Shortly after, the agent steps away, leaving multiple phones on the counter. The suspect quickly pockets the M-Pesa phone, deliberately leaving behind other devices.
It appears the thief had prior knowledge of which phone held the M-Pesa credentials, including the PIN and agent ID. After leaving the shop, the suspect allegedly withdrew all funds from the float and took out loans using the stolen phone, leaving the agent in financial distress.
Agent Appeals for Help
The agent shared the CCTV footage online, urging the public to help identify and expose the culprit. He lamented the loss of nearly KSh 40,000 and the loans taken on his account.
Public Reaction
- Many sympathised with the agent but criticised the lack of security measures, especially leaving phones unattended on the counter.
- Some commenters stressed that M-Pesa agents should treat their float phones with the same caution as cash to avoid such thefts.
- Others pointed out that the suspect’s behaviour indicated clear intent to steal rather than merely shop.
This incident highlights the need for heightened vigilance among M-Pesa agents to safeguard their devices and funds against increasingly sophisticated theft methods.
