The government, through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs on Tuesday, February 4, raised alarm over rising cases of visa application fraud and fake jobs, cautioning Kenyans against falling for such scams.
"The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs continues to receive complaints from citizens who have been defrauded while applying for travel visas to various countries,” noted the ministry in a statement.
The foreign office urged Kenyans looking to travel abroad for work-related or leisure purposes to seek the proper channels to avoid being scammed.
“It is important that persons seeking to travel to different destinations apply for the correct visas as provided on the official websites of the respective countries,” the ministry stated.
Highlighting the need to take responsibility when travelling abroad, the ministry emphasised the role of an individual in the visa application process urging Kenyans seeking jobs abroad to do “due diligence” before embarking on travel plans.
“Visa application is a personal responsibility that does not require the approval of agents or organisations. The Ministry advises persons seeking employment in various destinations on the need for due diligence before embarking on any travel arrangements,” it emphasised.
The Ministry also forewarned of the dire consequences that came with Kenyans overstaying in a foreign country after the expiry of their visas.
“The Ministry cautions that it is an offence under immigration law to overstay the duration of a visa. If arrested, one can be liable to imprisonment or fine as may be determined by the courts of the various jurisdictions. One can also be deported for violation of immigration law,” it affirmed.
The government further directed Kenya’s Missions abroad to come forward by providing the required support to Kenyans seeking to travel abroad for job opportunities.
“The Ministry advises that all the 67 Kenya Missions abroad remain available to assist in conducting the necessary due diligence on any job opportunities,” it expressed.
The latest message comes as Kenyans are continually being duped by unscrupulous recruitment and visa application agencies. This has resulted in many losing hundreds of thousands of shillings despite efforts by the State to curb the growing fraud.
In September 2024, a group of job seekers stormed the offices of a recruitment agency after falling prey to the allure of well-paying jobs abroad.
Many of the victims had been enticed by slick social media advertisements. Platforms like TikTok and Facebook were awash with videos promising job opportunities in countries like Canada, Germany, and Qatar. The victims, often desperate for a way out of unemployment, were required to pay between Ksh120,000 and Ksh140,000 in facilitation fees.
