Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a well-known Nairobi fraudster who has been masquerading as a senior government official.
The man is accused of swindling a Kenyan woman out of Ksh130,000 after promising to secure her a lucrative government job.
How the Scheme Began
According to DCI investigators, the fraud started in February 2024. A Kenyan woman who was working in Lebanon at the time came across the suspect on TikTok.
The man, who introduced himself as the personal assistant to the Head of Public Service and a close aide of senior government officials, appeared confident and influential.
The woman, hoping to find employment in Kenya after her contract in Lebanon expired, contacted him through the platform. The suspect then gave her his phone number and began building a relationship of trust.
He convinced her that he was deeply connected to the Public Service Commission (PSC) and could easily secure her a job once she returned home.
To strengthen his lies, the man even produced a fake but convincing document that appeared to come from the PSC. The forged paperwork reassured the victim that she was dealing with someone legitimate and well-placed in government.
The Payment and Betrayal
Once he had won her trust, the fraudster began asking for “facilitation fees,” claiming they were needed to process the job appointment. Since the woman did not have enough money, she asked her employer in Lebanon to help her send funds through Western Union.
Over time, she sent a total of Ksh130,000 to the suspect, who bragged about being a wealthy city tycoon with close ties to State House. However, despite the payments, no job ever materialized.
Feeling cheated and helpless, the woman finally contacted DCI officers and reported the matter.
Arrest of the Suspect
Following the report, detectives launched a manhunt to track down the impostor. On Thursday, August 21, 2025, the DCI finally arrested the man in Nairobi. He is now in police custody, where he is being processed and will soon face charges for fraud and impersonation.
Investigators say the suspect targeted vulnerable job seekers, using charm and fake government connections to extort money from them. The DCI has also cautioned Kenyans to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to similar scams, which are becoming increasingly common.
A Growing Trend of Job Scams
This latest arrest highlights the growing problem of fraudsters taking advantage of desperate Kenyans in search of employment.
Barely a month earlier, on July 23, detectives in Eldoret nabbed two suspects accused of running a fake recruitment agency that defrauded more than 100 young people.
The suspects were arrested as they collected money from unsuspecting youths at Silver Line back street in Eldoret town. Each victim had paid Ksh2,400 as a registration fee after being promised jobs abroad.
When the two were taken to Eldoret Central Police Station, more than 100 youths stormed the station demanding a refund of their money. The incident drew national attention, highlighting how widespread such scams have become.
Public Concern
These cases show how fraudsters are exploiting the high unemployment rate in Kenya. With many young people desperate for opportunities, criminals are using fake promises of government jobs or overseas employment to steal hard-earned money.
Authorities have urged citizens to verify all job offers through official government websites and to avoid paying money to individuals posing as government officials or agents.
As investigations continue, the man pretending to be Ruto’s aide is expected to face serious legal consequences for his actions, serving as a warning to other fraudsters targeting vulnerable Kenyans.
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