Tale of a consumer conned online by counterfeiters who sold her “grade two” perfumes

As a law student, I believed my studies had equipped me with a healthy scepticism towards deals that seem too good to be true. Yet, I, like countless other Kenyans, recently fell victim to a sophisticated scam operating in plain sight on Instagram. My encounter with the online store “Luxury 254”

instagram.com/luxury254_ was not only a personal disappointment but also a crash course in the realities of illicit trade, consumer protection gaps, and the brazen audacity of counterfeiters in the digital age. It began with a compelling advertisement for designer perfumes at an irresistible offer for two at the price of Kshs. 2,500.

After confirming the offer’s validity, I made the purchase. The goods were delivered on Monday morning at 11 am. Upon inspection, however, the promised luxury was replaced by a harsh, chemical stench reminiscent of air freshener.