Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a man accused of orchestrating a job scam while masquerading as the personal assistant to Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei.
According to investigators, the elaborate scheme began in February 2024 when a Kenyan woman working in Lebanon contacted the suspect through his TikTok account. Seeking employment back home after the expiry of her contract, she was convinced she had reached a senior government insider.
The fraudster, who introduced himself as a powerful link within the Public Service Commission (PSC), provided his phone number and built a convincing narrative around a fictitious government job opportunity. He even produced a forged PSC document to bolster his credibility.
Over time, the suspect demanded facilitation fees to secure the “job placement.” Trusting his promises, the woman, with the help of her employer, sent Ksh130,000 via Western Union. However, the promised job never materialized.
Realizing she had been conned, the victim reported the matter to DCI officers, who swiftly launched a manhunt. The suspect, popularly referring to himself as the “City Tycoon,” was tracked down and arrested on Thursday, August 21, 2025. He is currently in police custody as detectives process him for prosecution.
This incident adds to a growing list of fraudulent job schemes targeting unsuspecting Kenyans desperate for employment. Just last month, two men were arrested in Eldoret for allegedly swindling over 100 youths through a fake recruitment agency. The suspects, nabbed on July 23, had been collecting registration fees of Ksh2,400 from jobseekers with false promises of overseas employment.
The Eldoret arrests sparked an uproar, with scores of victims camping outside Eldoret Central Police Station demanding refunds. Authorities say investigations into both cases are ongoing, warning the public to remain vigilant against job scams that prey on vulnerable jobseekers.
The DCI has urged Kenyans to verify employment opportunities directly with relevant government agencies and to be cautious of individuals demanding upfront payments.
