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At least 263 travel agencies are
under investigation over conning
jobseekers of more than Sh1 billion.
DCI Boss Mohamed Amin has constituted a special team based at the Nairobi Regional Directorate of Criminal Investigations that is handling the cases so far involving 600 victims.
A special team based at Nairobi Regional Directorate of Criminal Investigations is handling the cases so far involving 600 victims.
Regional Criminal Investigations officer Benson Kasyoki said they expect victims to rise as investigations continue.
He said the victims paid between Sh30,000 and Sh150,000 for them to secure the jobs in vain.
“Some had paid in full and others half before they realised they were being conned,” he said.
Kasyoki said they are still receiving complaints from the victims, adding that the team is rushing to among others reclaim the lost money.
So far, nine files are pending in courts, seven have been sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions with various recommendations while 21 cases are pending arrest of suspects.
“These suspects are at large after they among others switched off their mobile phones or changed their locations,” he said.
Kasyoki also appealed to victims of the fraud to visit the Nairobi Area DCI offices for help.
“We have a team that is pursuing the matter to the end. We assure the victims that they will get justice,” he said.
So far, the National Employment Authority has revoked the license of some of the affected agencies following a public outcry over conning.
Victims, who include Kenyans and foreigners, said the companies promised jobs in Canada, United Kingdom and Germany that never materialised.
DCI has recorded complaints from victims who allege applications for travel and work documents were falsified which saw several of the applicants issued with visa bans and disqualifications.
Scores of people claiming to have been scammed have continued to come forward with some camping at the offices of the companies seeking a refund.