Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a suspected online accommodation fraudster accused of conning a holidaymaker out of KSh130,000 in a fake Airbnb booking in Nyali, Mombasa.
In a statement dated November 8, the detectives noted that the arrest in Bamburi followed investigations into the alleged online accommodation fraud.
“Acting on investigative leads, Nyali Sub-County detectives trailed and arrested the suspect in Bamburi, ending his online accommodation fraud scheme.”
According to preliminary investigations, the suspect allegedly convinced a female client he could secure her accommodation in Nyali, prompting her to pay KSh130, 000.
Investigators believe the alleged scheme may have extended beyond Mombasa, with the suspect reportedly targeting travellers planning holidays in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties.
DCI affirmed that the suspect currently remains in police custody as detectives complete processing ahead of his arraignment.
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DCI Issues Advisory to Holidaymakers
With the festive season around the corner, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations has urged holidaymakers to exercise caution when booking accommodation online to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
Travellers planning coastal getaways have been advised to verify the properties they intend to book, confirm the legitimacy of hosts and think twice before making payments that appear suspicious.
“Verify the property, confirm the host’s legitimacy and think twice before making suspicious payments. At the Coast, let the waves wash away your worries, not fraudsters wash away your savings,” DCI advised.
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Kenya Cracks Down on Online Scams
The arrest of the suspected online fraudster comes as Kenyan authorities intensify efforts against online fraud after several arrests of suspects accused of defrauding members of the public through fake business deals, accommodation bookings,s and overseas employment promises.
In another major operation, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations arrested five suspects in connection with an alleged KSh742,000 fraud involving a fake website impersonating a cement company on November 5.
The suspects allegedly operated a fake website impersonating Bamburi Cement PLC to convince the victim to purchase 1,400 bags of cement.
According to DCI, the victim transferred the money through RTGS on August 23, 2025, but never received the cement.
On October 27, 2026, a businessman was charged at the Milimani Law Courts in connection with an alleged KSh11.408 million fraud involving a cereals trading deal in Nairobi.
In a separate operation, detectives arrested an Eldoret-based recruitment agency director on October 30, accused of defrauding 29 job seekers of about KSh15 million.
The victims had allegedly paid between KSh200,000 and KSh1 million each for promised employment opportunities in Sweden, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada.
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