On Tuesday, February 4, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs issued an urgent warning regarding the increasing cases of visa application fraud and fake job offers, advising Kenyans to be cautious and avoid falling victim to these scams.
The ministry highlighted that it continues to receive numerous complaints from citizens who have been defrauded during their attempts to apply for travel visas to different countries.
In an official statement, the Ministry emphasized the importance of using official channels when applying for visas to avoid being scammed.
It urged Kenyans planning to travel for either work or leisure to ensure they apply for the correct visa through the official websites of the countries they intend to visit.
The Ministry made it clear that the visa application process is a personal responsibility, and there is no need for intermediaries or agencies to be involved.
“It is crucial for individuals seeking to travel to different countries to take full responsibility for their visa applications,” the ministry said.
They also stressed that those looking for employment abroad must do their due diligence to verify job opportunities before making any travel arrangements.
Furthermore, the government warned of the serious consequences that could arise if Kenyans overstay their visas in foreign countries.
“Overstaying a visa is a criminal offense under immigration law, and those found guilty can face imprisonment, fines, or even deportation,” the ministry warned.
To further assist Kenyan travelers, the Ministry directed the country’s 67 diplomatic missions abroad to offer support to those seeking job opportunities overseas.
“All Kenyan Missions abroad are available to help conduct the necessary checks and provide assistance with job opportunities,” the Ministry noted.
This warning comes in the wake of continued cases where Kenyans have been duped by fraudulent recruitment and visa agencies, leading many to lose large sums of money.
Despite efforts by the government to combat this growing issue, many people continue to fall prey to these scams.
One particularly alarming incident occurred in September 2024, when a group of job seekers protested outside a recruitment agency’s offices after discovering they had been scammed.
These individuals had been promised well-paying jobs abroad, with many being lured by flashy social media ads on platforms such as TikTok and Facebook.
The ads promoted job opportunities in countries like Canada, Germany, and Qatar. In many cases, victims were asked to pay between Ksh120,000 and Ksh140,000 in facilitation fees, with the hope of securing these foreign jobs.
This serves as a stark reminder for Kenyans to be cautious when considering job offers abroad and to always verify the legitimacy of agencies and visa application services before making any commitments.
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