Passengers Scammed in Fake Online Christmas Holiday Bus Bookings

The festive season is supposed to be a time of joy, family reunions, and travel. But for several passengers in Nairobi this December, the holiday spirit turned into despair after falling victim to fake online bus bookings.

Reports indicate that passengers attempting to travel from Nairobi to upcountry towns for Christmas were tricked by individuals posing as legitimate bus companies on social media platforms.

These fraudsters used platforms like TikTok and Facebook to advertise fake tickets, convincing travelers to pay in advance. Many unsuspecting passengers, believing they were securing legitimate bookings, transferred money only to be left stranded later.

One victim, speaking to Citizen TV, described the devastating experience: 

“I was travelling and got the number to book for the bus on the internet. The people told me that they were working for the bus company, but I have come to realize that they were not working there. I was scammed of all my money; I was only left with KSh 49.” 

When the passengers arrived at the actual bus company offices, they were informed that no booking existed in their names. Many were left without transport, scrambling to find alternative means to reach their destinations. 

Officials from the affected bus company confirmed that at least six other passengers had been scammed in similar ways by imposters using photos of company staff to appear legitimate.

Authorities have since warned travelers to be vigilant when booking tickets online. They advise verifying official bus company contacts and avoiding payments to third parties or unverified social media accounts. 

Passengers are urged to report suspicious activity immediately and to use official booking channels to prevent falling prey to scammers.