Their cunning continues to evolve and improve over time. We call them « They do not swear to each other », those who use the word to deceive, mislead with the intention of stealing. In this story, they came close to robbing a young woman, with a ploy they’ve been using for a while on this street.
More exactly on the road along the SOS high school which leads to the Maria radio, earphones plugged into my smartphone, I decide to walk back under the oppressive midday sun. A man in his thirties comes up to me: “Hello, can you tell me the place that bears the name of Edimo? » I answer him no since this place is unknown to me. I put on my headphones that I unplugged to answer him. The gentleman, he is not of this opinion since he continues the discussion. “Do you live in the area? », he asks me. I nod. Yes, I’m from the area but I don’t know where it is « Edimo ». I advise him to ask a lady who is a few steps in front of us in order to finish him off and escape to my playlist.
A Trojan Horse
The man accelerates to join the woman proudly dressed in her kitenge. She seems to indicate the place to him. But that doesn’t concern me anymore, I’m on my way. The lady calls me, in turn, to inquire if I am with this man. What I deny and she whispers in my ear that « Edimo » is a place where people receive money from abroad. I am surprised not to know the place, I who am a regular in this district. The man, who had stayed a few meters away, came back to us to offer to accompany him. The lady, suspicious, retorts that she has other fish to fry.
I barely listen to their conversation, especially since I’m not part of it. She’s the lady who knows the place. It is up to her to accompany him. However, he is far from giving up. He insists on going together for ay’ifanta (10000 FBu).
The woman, cheerful, asks him the amount he will recover. « 1000$ », he replies. Also, he adds that he will give us more money if we render him this service. In my head, I’m intrigued to know why he’s enlisting me in his plans, since I haven’t done him any favors. Wasn’t it the lady who showed him the way?
A friend to the rescue
I stand away but their voices reach me since we have been walking at the same pace for a while. Suddenly, my heart skips a beat as I feel hands grab my shoulders. I turn my head when I see the smiling face of a friend. I’m even more surprised when she holds my hand and at an accelerated pace we pass these two individuals. I have the distinct impression that she wants to keep me away from them. “So they were together! » An obvious fact that quickly jumps to mind. “How did you know? » This is the question I ask this friend.
” I know them ! », she told me. They often do this to female students on that same street. She tells me that there are at least 3 students in her class to whom they have already done the trick. Besides, one of them already knew about their strategy but they stole from her anyway. She asks me if I haven’t greeted one of them. To be honest, I don’t remember. According to the victims, there are substances they leave on you while greeting you that cause you to carry out their orders, semi-conscious. I’m relieved that I haven’t been another victim thanks to this friend. At the same time, what saddens me is this lady, his accomplice, who at first glance seemed to me to be a mother above all suspicion. I look behind to see these thieves. At first glance, they seem to have vanished into nature. But I see them further on exchanging with the students who pass on this path. I just hope those kids won’t listen to them.
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