The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has apprehended an international fraudster with two other partners targeting Airbnb owners across the country.
The suspect was arrested after checking into an Airbnb in Mombasa and checking out without paying a bill of Ksh370,000.
“The suspects have been apprehended for pulling off a daring scam at a resort in Mombasa. He booked a three-bedroom Airbnb for two weeks but vanished into thin air without paying a dime,” the DCI stated.
According to reports, the syndicate first sent an RTGS message of Ksh105,800, but the funds never reflected in the Airbnb account.
“The suspect, along with accomplices, concocted an elaborate scheme to book the luxurious stay online, which would cost a total of Ksh370,300. They first sent an RTGS message for sh105,800, but the funds were never reflected in Airbnb’s account,” DCI added.
They therefore vanished, leaving behind nothing but confusion and bills.
As investigations continued, the police uncovered the main suspect’s notorious history as a con artist, wanted for swindling innocent victims across Africa and also involved in criminal activities in Australia.
The main suspects have been placed under police custody as investigations alongside the search for his accomplices continue.
