A content creator has blown the lid off the Nairobi fake perfume scam, showing how street sellers rope in unsuspecting shoppers with a clever trick involving planted buyers to rope genuine people into buying fake stuff. The young filmmaker went undercover in the city’s bustling markets, capturing footage that reveals the whole setup step by step and how it is executed on the victims.
It always happens right in the heart of downtown Nairobi, where vendors hawk everything from clothes to gadgets on crowded sidewalks. This particular hustle focuses on knockoff fragrances – bottles labelled as big-name brands like Chanel or Dior, going for a fraction of the real price, and they crowd to entice victims.
The creator, who goes by UrbanEye on TikTok, noticed something off during a routine walk through River Road. Sellers would shout about amazing deals, and suddenly a few people in the crowd would step up, sniff the samples, and pull out cash like they’d struck gold. But it turned out those “happy customers” were in on it.
UrbanEye decided to dig deeper. He hung around for hours, phone hidden, recording the same faces showing up again and again. One guy in a red cap bought from three different stalls in under an hour, each time raving about the scent lasting all day.
A woman nearby did the same, chatting up passersby about how she’d never found better. “They’re accomplices,” the creator whispered in his video narration. “Paid or part of the group to create that rush – make you think everyone’s grabbing them before they run out.”
The video dropped online last week and spread like wildfire. Views hit over a million in days, with Kenyans sharing their own close calls. One commenter said she almost spent KSh 2,000 on a fake Gucci scent after seeing a line form. Another guy admitted he got taken last month, spraying something that smelt great at first but faded to nothing by evening.
UrbanEye explained in follow-up clips how these operations work. Groups buy cheap imitations in bulk from dubious suppliers, sometimes laced with harsh chemicals that can irritate skin. They set up temporary spots to avoid cops, moving fast when heat comes.
Police in Nairobi know about these tricks. A senior officer from Central Station told me over the phone that they’ve busted similar rings before. “We raid when we can, but they scatter quickly,” he said.
Last year alone, authorities seized thousands of counterfeit items worth millions. Buyers end up with worthless junk, and health risks pile on – some fakes contain toxic stuff like methanol. The officer urged people to stick with licensed shops or malls for perfumes.
UrbanEye didn’t stop at filming. He tracked down a former insider willing to talk anonymously. The guy, who quit after a bad conscience hit, said crews earn big on weekends.
“We’d make KSh 50,000 a day easy,” he shared. Accomplices get a cut, maybe KSh 5,000 each for acting excited. They target tourists and young workers hunting bargains. “It’s all about the crowd psychology – see others buying; you don’t want to miss out.”
This exposure comes at a time when street scams are on the rise in Nairobi. With prices climbing everywhere, folks hunt for cheap deals on everyday items. But as UrbanEye points out, if it seems too good, walk away. His channel has grown huge since the post, with calls for more investigations into phone sellers and fake jewellery spots.
City officials promise action. Nairobi County has teams patrolling hot zones, checking licences and testing products on site. One inspector mentioned plans for awareness campaigns – signs in markets warning about common cons. Shoppers can report suspicious activity through hotlines too.
UrbanEye hopes his work makes a difference. In the video’s end, he looks straight at viewers: “Stay sharp out there.” Your money’s hard-earned – don’t let these tricks take it.” Comments flood in with thanks, some even tagging police handles for follow-ups.
