A Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) student's plan to rip off Ksh70,000 from his parents by faking his kidnaping was exposed after he encountered a woman who spiked his drink at an entertainment joint in Thika, Kiambu county.
In a statement dated Thursday, July 7, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) stated that the 23-year-old had demanded the ransom from his parents who sent him Ksh50,000 after making relentless calls.
Police revealed that the parents opted to send the money after being informed by the 'kidnappers' that they were planning to eliminate their son.
Upon receiving the money, the student went to an entertainment joint in Thika town to party.
It is at the joint that the KMTC student met the woman who spiked his drink and stole all the money.
In a bid to siphon more money from his parents, the student called them again with claims that the 'kidnappers' were now demanding an extra Ksh40,000 in order to set him free.
The parents obliged and sent him the money without further questions.
"After regaining control of his faculties, he called again and his parents sent a further Ksh40,000 which he withdrew and secured in his shoes. By this time, detectives had closed in on him," stated the DCI.
The DCI added that the 23-year-old was taken to Kayole Police Station where he was booked and questioned by detectives on his motive. The police recovered Ksh38,000 during the incident.
Police revealed that the KMTC student told them he hatched the plan to fake his kidnapping to raise money for his tuition fees.
"Upon questioning, the student stated that he had squandered money meant for his last semester’s school fees and was wondering how he would raise money in order to sit for his exams, hence the fake story."
Additionally, the student disclosed that he had two accomplices, with police noting that the two would be questioned on the matter.
The 23-year-old will be arraigned on Friday, July 8, to face charges of extortion and obtaining money by false pretense.
