What to Do in Kenya When an Online Seller Takes Your Money and Disappears - Your Consumer Rights When you buy something online and the seller disappears with your money, it's infuriating and feels hopeless. Recently, a Kenyan consumer shared their story on TikTok, and it's a situation many of us can relate to. The scammer, posing as an online seller, took KSh 10,000 from the buyer and vanished. The buyer was left with no product, no refund, and no way to get their money back. Why this happens: Online shopping is convenient, but it also leaves us vulnerable to scams. Many Kenyans have fallen victim to online scammers, and the usual advice to "be more careful" or "only buy from trusted sellers" doesn't help when you've already been scammed. How Immani works in this specific context: If you've been scammed by an online seller, you can file a dispute against their phone number on Immani. This costs KSh 100, and the process is straightforward. Here's what happens next:

1. You file a dispute on Immani, describing what happened and the amount you lost (in this case, KSh 10,000).
2. The online seller is notified immediately and has a short private window to respond and engage directly with you.
3. If they don't respond, the dispute becomes visible to anyone who looks up their phone number on Immani, which often prompts a reply.
4. You and the seller work out a resolution, and once you both confirm you've reached an understanding, the dispute is closed. Immani Legal AI can also help you understand your consumer rights under Kenyan law. You can ask questions like "What are my rights as a consumer in Kenya?" or "Can I get a refund if the product is not delivered?" and get answers in plain language, in English or Kiswahili. A one-line trustworthiness disclaimer: "Immani and Immani Legal AI are not law firms and do not provide legal advice. This post is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation. For complex cases, consult a qualified advocate."