A CCTV footage capturing a syndicate linked to the theft of passports in the country has emerged.
The CCTV footage obtained from one of the buildings in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) shows the individuals making their way into the premises before leaving with hundreds of passports.
The syndicate is reported to have been carrying out its operations through a well choreographed scheme and in some instances posing as travel agents.
Following a tip off and uproar from members of the public who have lost their passports to the syndicate, police officers attached to the Serious Crime unit were deployed to the scene and apprehended three individuals linked to the syndicate. The three were arrested on Wednesday, February 2, following a raid in one of the buildings they operated from.
Upon apprehension, the three were found in possession of over 2000 passports believed to have been stolen in a period of three months.
The three were taken for questioning on their operations, with the syndicate being linked to international illegal trade.
According to a travel agent who spoke to the local media, the syndicate is believed to be duping Kenyans with fake jobs abroad and taking part in human trafficking.
Instances of Kenyans being conned with fake jobs abroad have been on the rise in the recent past.
Police have also been on high alert following the increasing cases of human trafficking with reports linking it to some foreigners.
In December 2021, the police in collaboration with International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL), arrested a foreigner who was wanted over allegations of human trafficking.
“Acting on globally sourced Interpol intelligence leads, the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in The Hague alerted the Kenyan NCB to the fugitive’s presence in Nairobi on 10 December,” Interpol stated.
“A Red Notice was published the same day for people smuggling and use of fake identity documents to carry out transcontinental smuggling operations, triggering the suspect’s surveillance and arrest on the outskirts of the Kenyan capital.”
