Detectives drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested a suspect believed to be behind a series of cons targeting partygoers in different cities.
In a statement on Friday, DCI explained that the suspect named Sheila Wakesho Matasa had been on the radar of security operatives following several complaints.
As per the statement, Wakesho in what appeared to be a well-choreographed plan managed to con local and foreign tourists by pretending to be an AirBnB owner or an accommodation service provider.
The suspect allegedly created a Facebook group including one named Lifestyle Beachfront AirBnB, and another one named Mombasa Raha AirBnB where she would interact with her unsuspecting victims.
She would then furnish the group with loads of fancy photos showing various rooms for accommodation to advertise her business.
Her groups, according to the DCI, accumulated over 10,000 followers, most of whom believed the adverts posted on the platform.
Followers and tourists looking for accommodation would later reach out to her through the channels offered on the groups.
However, Wakesho, 24, could only be reached through online channels.
Upon reaching out, Wakesho would then direct the victims to send booking fees via Mpesa till number or paybill number.
But the interactions, DCI explained would end in frustrations for the victims as Wakesho vanished from them leaving them stranded along beaches, bus stations, SGR terminals and airports.
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In a move believed to be a tactic to cover her tracks, the suspect has been using multiple subscriber sim cards interchangeably.
As per the statement, all sim cards were registered in different names mostly using stolen ID cards.
Unknown to her, however, the DCI was alive to her activities after reports from distressed tourists.
How DCI arrested Wakesho
In a perfect example of the proverbial 40th day, Wakesho obtained an unrevealed sum of money from a banker.
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The banker, upon detecting foul from the lady, informed the DCI who in turn trained their focus on her.
On the day of her arrest, Wakesho reportedly went to seek assistance at a local bank after the investigative agencies froze a number of her accounts.
According to DCI, investigations into the case are ongoing with DCI stations around the Nairobi region processing various complaints from victims.
“DCI Kilimani, Kasarani, Thika, Kiambaa and DCI Kiambu are processing files for her arraignment, as she awaits collection by other counties where her crimes have been reported,” the statement read in part.
