NAIROBI, Kenya — A Nairobi businessman has come forward with startling claims that a woman he met at Ibiza Club tricked him into parting with Sh 335,000, insisting that contrary to circulating assumptions, he never slept with her.
The revelation adds to a growing list of cases tied to the infamous “Mchele Babe” scams — a trend haunting Nairobi’s nightlife as unsuspecting revellers fall prey to women who use deceit or drugs to rob their victims.
According to the complainant, what began as a casual evening of drinks and laughter quickly spiralled into a financial nightmare.
He says the woman appeared confident and friendly, winning his trust before persuading him to send her the money for a supposed transaction whose nature he later realized was fabricated.
The businessman maintains that the encounter ended without any intimate exchange, describing the experience as a deliberate con rather than a romantic misadventure.
Incidents involving so-called “Mchele Babes” — women accused of drugging or deceiving male patrons in city clubs — have become alarmingly common.
In recent months, several men have reported waking up in unfamiliar places after being drugged, only to find their bank accounts drained or their valuables missing. In one case reported in Karen, a man lost a licensed firearm and cash after meeting a woman at a bar.
Another incident saw a Nairobi resident lose over Sh 400,000 following an evening with a woman he had just met, while police in another case reported a robbery worth Sh 560,000 linked to a similar scheme.
Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned nightlife patrons about the resurgence of such cases. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has urged clubgoers to exercise vigilance, avoid leaving their drinks unattended, and be wary of strangers who show sudden interest.
Under Kenyan law, obtaining money through deception constitutes an offence under provisions of the Penal Code addressing theft and fraud.
The use of stupefying or intoxicating substances without consent further attracts criminal charges that could lead to lengthy jail terms.
Experts note that the rise of these scams reflects broader challenges of trust and safety in urban social spaces. Victims, particularly men, often struggle to report such incidents due to shame, fear of ridicule, or the assumption that the encounters were consensual.
This reluctance allows many perpetrators to continue operating undetected, exploiting both the nightlife economy and social stigma surrounding male victimhood.
While the businessman’s claim has yet to be independently verified, and no official police report or charges have been confirmed, his account echoes a pattern seen across the city. The growing visibility of these stories underscores a pressing need for awareness and stronger deterrence — from both law enforcement and club management.
As investigations into similar scams continue, authorities encourage citizens to report suspicious activity promptly and avoid handling large sums of money during social outings.
For many Nairobians, the incident serves as another sobering reminder that nightlife excitement can quickly turn into regret when deception and greed mix with vulnerability.
