More than 300 people have fallen victim to a well-orchestrated travel abroad scam perpetrated by Novice Global Travel Agency in Eldoret City.
According to the victims, the company, reportedly owned by Gilbert Kiptoo Songok, a resident of Uasin Gishu County, promised to facilitate overseas jobs for them.
The company is said to have collected between Ksh300,000 and Ksh350,000 from each individual for paperwork, including visas and other requirements.
The victims were promised jobs in Canada but were left stranded after paying the required funds, with some families losing up to Ksh700,000.
Vivian Jerono, one such victim, lost a staggering Ksh600,000 to Novice Global for travel arrangements for herself and her sister.
The company’s management claimed that their application for a job opportunity in Canada had been rejected.
“We applied and, after a very long time, in early May this year, we were told that our applications were rejected. We asked Gilbert what to do next, and he told us to look for jobs in Poland or other Arabic countries,” Vivian said.
Another victim, Simon Cheruyiot, said his family lost Ksh700,000 intended to facilitate the journey to Canada for him and his brother in search of jobs.
“Now that I asked my parent to give me my share, it’s gone just like that. I don’t know what I’ll tell my parent or what I’ll do. The money is gone, and I haven’t gone abroad. I was promised I would go abroad, work, and help others in the family,” he said.
Why Residents Trusted Gilbert
Despite multiple reports to authorities, no significant action has been taken against the company or its owner, Gilbert, who continues to operate and target new clients.
Gilbert allegedly deceived residents by claiming to have strong connections in Canada based on his previous residence there.
“We saw him as one of us, and we trusted him. Like me, my brother came, and my brother followed. So, as we’re speaking, all five of us have been duped. I paid Ksh350,000, my brother paid Ksh350,000, and his friends paid Ksh400,000,” said one victim.
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Victims have been frequently visiting the Novice Global offices and police stations, demanding refunds and justice, but have received little to no support.
“He told us that when we were ready with the money, we should pay so that our kids could travel abroad for the jobs. We talked to them, and we agreed that everything would be sorted if we paid around Ksh 350,000,” said Joshua Lagat, another victim.
The rising number of fraud cases in Eldoret has raised serious concerns about the lack of enforcement and accountability from local authorities.
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Springmak Investment Limited Scandal
This comes after an online trading company named Springmak Investment Limited, owned by Ambrose Ambuti Makech, disappeared with millions from Eldoret residents in a similar scandal.
Ambrose had promised residents an 18% interest on their investments, withdrawable every six months.
However, after enticing residents with the promise of substantial returns, the company quickly collapsed, and Ambrose vanished, leaving his clients in financial distress.
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