"Akafuliza float na till": CCTV shows lunch-hour robbbery at M-Pesa shop

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- A man posing as a customer allegedly stole an M-Pesa phone from a shop counter while the agent stepped away briefly

- The suspect reportedly used the stolen phone to withdraw all the float balance and even took out loans, leaving the agent in financial distress

- The agent shared CCTV footage online, calling on Kenyans to help identify and expose the suspect

An M-Pesa agent is counting losses after a man posing as a customer allegedly walked off with his work phone in broad daylight during lunchtime, subsequently draining his float and taking out loans using the account.

The agent shared CCTV footage captured inside his shop that showed the sequence of events unfolding around 1 pm.

In the clip, the suspect approaches the counter and appears to enquire about prices before purchasing exercise books and ballpens, collecting his change in what looked like a routine transaction.

How the theft unfolded

Moments after the purchase, the shopkeeper stood up from his seat, leaving several phones resting on the counter.

That brief absence was all the suspect needed. He quickly pocketed one of the phones, selecting specifically the M-Pesa float phone, while leaving behind another device that was playing a video and a third phone on the counter.

The calculated nature of the act suggested prior knowledge of which device held the M-Pesa credentials, including the PIN and agent ID.

The agent revealed that the suspect wasted no time after leaving the shop, allegedly withdrawing all available funds from the float and also borrowing against the account before the theft was even noticed.

"Please expose this criminal, he took almost KSh 40,000. He took loans on the phone and float and till," the agent wrote alongside the footage.

Kenyans react to CCTV footage at M-Pesa shop

The video drew sharp responses online, with many viewers split between sympathy for the agent and criticism of his security practices.

Esther Essy:

"Huyu ni mtu ame kuja hapa sku mingi mpaka akaclam pin na agent id zako, makosa ingine ulifanya ni kuacha simu ya mpesa juu ya table."

Irene Mutua:

"Ala huyu hata alikua amekuja kuiba sio kununua."

Ranjo Mpenda:

"For sure I blame the shopkeeper, ata mwenyewe ni careless how comes simu tatu kwa meza ...mara ngoma mara laptop Sasa ata focus aje Bure kabisa."

Ownboss Isiche:

"Hizi simu mnaambiwa here almost every day mchungane nazo na bado mnaanika tu."

Cloudzip Kanish:

"Poleni sana aki cuzos what a loss but mwalifu awezi jificha lazima atapatikana."

Several commenters urged M-Pesa agents to treat their float phones with the same level of vigilance as cash, noting that leaving them visible on a counter created an easy opportunity for theft.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.