Department of Criminal Investigations detectives on Wednesday apprehended an international con artist and swindler with three other partners who have been targeting Airbnb owners across the country.
The suspect in the syndicate was apprehended after pulling off a daring swindling syndicate where they checked into an expensive Airbnb in Mombasa and checked out without paying a bill of Ksh370,000.
''The suspect has been apprehended for pulling off a daring scam at a resort in Mombasa. He booked a three-bedroom Airbnb for two weeks but vanished into thin air without paying a dime," DCI confirmed in a statement.
According to the DCI, as part of the syndicate, the first three sent an RTGS message for Ksh105,800, but the funds never reflected in the Airbnb account.
When the host enquired about the missing payment, the main swindler claimed that his company would cover the bill before their departure.
''The suspect, along with two accomplices, concocted an elaborate scheme to book the luxurious stay online, which would cost a total of Ksh370,300. They first sent an RTGS message for Sh105,800, but the funds were never reflected in Airbnb’s account," the statement added.
''But just like a magician’s disappearing act, he and his accomplices inexplicably vanished, leaving behind nothing but confusion and bills.''
As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered the main suspect's notorious history as a con artist, wanted for swindling innocent victims across Africa and even involved in criminal activities in Australia.
He and his partners in crime previously defrauded a beach hotel in Mombasa in the same manner before disappearing.
The main suspect has been placed under police custody as investigations alongside the search for his other accomplices continue.
The operation followed a surge in complaints from Airbnb owners who reported guests checking out without settling their bills.
Some also claimed their valuables had mysteriously disappeared after guests made off with them during checkout.
