A manhunt was launched for a Mombasa woman accused of conning residents more than Ksh3.9 million while promising them jobs in Singapore, Canada, Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
According to the victims who disclosed their plight on Saturday, June 3, the woman conned more than 40 residents hoping to get various jobs, including teaching and security posts abroad.
They were expected to pay a fee to facilitate the processing of visas and flight tickets, and a balance after receiving their first pay abroad.
The victims noted that they sent the money to the woman between January and March 2023, but since then, they could not locate her.
“She was very convincing because she told us to pay Ksh300,000 then send her Ksh200,000 from our salaries later.
“We were assured that we would get the work permits and the plane tickets so we did not have any reason to doubt her,” one of the victims stated.
Additionally, she manipulated the victims with photos and success stories of individuals she claimed she facilitated to travel abroad.
However, when the residents questioned the deal, the woman began giving excuses, including that her boss had been unwell and therefore there were travel delays.
"I called her because I was concerned about the process and why it was taking so long, and she told me to wait until the end of Ramadhan.
"When we started making inquiries, we were directed to file complaints with the police as her partners had swindled us of our money. We were told to be witnesses, but we refused," another victim narrated.
The Kenya Association of Private Employment Agencies refuted claims that the woman was its registered member and asked the government to take action against her.
Police officers noted that the investigation was underway, and detectives were tracking the suspect.
Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu recently warned Kenyans against being duped by unscrupulous and fake job merchants.
She urged applicants to cross-check the opportunities abroad with the ones posted on the ministry's website to avoid being scammed.
"The National Employment Authority has several legit opportunities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs too... but with people hunting for jobs, some people are taking advantage of their separation," she stated.