Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati
In Nairobi, five individuals, including one foreign national, have been arrested for allegedly running a fraudulent overseas job recruitment scheme. The suspects—Nick Van Opstal, Samuel Marigi, Patrick Wangai, Susan Oluoch, and Christine Muthoni Wangechi—were apprehended by detectives from the Nairobi Regional headquarters at KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka, where the scam was in progress.
The operation was launched following a public tip-off, leading detectives to raid the location and rescue approximately 1,000 job seekers from potential exploitation. The suspects operated under two fraudulent agencies, Alhanawa Jobs and Supply Link Ventures Limited, misleading the public about overseas job opportunities.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the recruitment activities had already been flagged as a scam by the National Employment Authority (NEA). A manhunt is currently underway for three additional suspects—Hannah Mbugua, Gladys Oluasa, and Lucy Wanjiru—who managed to evade capture during the raid.
The DCI has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious recruitment agencies to the authorities.