Victims of job Scam
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A high-profile investigation into an alleged multimillion-dollar job recruitment scam in Nairobi, Kenya has been thrown into uncertainty following the abrupt transfer of key investigators to remote locations.
The case centres on Vintmark Travel Agency Ltd, owned by Ceaser Kingori, which allegedly defrauded job seekers of approximately Sh720 million (US$6.4 million). The controversy emerged after Kingori reportedly exploited President Ruto's diplomatic visit to Germany, where labour agreements were being secured. Despite lacking official credentials, Kingori managed to attend the Berlin event and obtained a photograph with Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua. This image later became a tool of intimidation when investigators attempted to question him about mounting complaints from victims.
Nairobi Regional Criminal Investigations Officer Njeru Nthigah had assembled a dedicated team of six detectives to investigate claims that Vintmark had deceived numerous individuals with false promises of employment opportunities in Canada, the United Kingdom, Dubai, and various European and Arab nations. When Kingori refused to comply with the subsequent summons, he repeatedly leveraged his photograph with CS Mutua as a shield against the investigation. The situation intensified following a Nation.Africa exposé on September 24th, which prompted the National Employment Authority to revive its dormant investigation into Vintmark, ultimately resulting in the agency's license revocation.
However, the publication of this report coincided with a series of strategic transfers affecting the investigating team. Nthigah was reassigned to the Western Region just one day after the report's release, while his team members were dispersed to distant locations including Kilifi, Samburu, and Garissa. Although Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja professes ignorance of these developments, he has committed to investigating whether the transfers were intended to obstruct justice. DCI boss Mohammed Amin acknowledges the transfer of 12 officers but denies any attempt to impede the investigation, asserting that Kingori would face court proceedings soon.
The scope of the investigation extended beyond Vintmark to include other suspected fraudulent recruitment agencies. Amble Beginning Consult and Frac and Calp, operated by Alphonse Kioko, allegedly swindled Sh890 million from victims, working in collaboration with Hannah Kaniu of Trevaron Travel and Tours Ltd. Additionally, Pastor James Wanjohi's enterprises - WorthStart Africa, WorthStart Travel Agency, and WorthStart Barista Technical Institute - are also under scrutiny for allegedly obtaining Sh600 million fraudulently from job seekers.
The investigators had made significant progress, forwarding case files to the Director of Public Prosecutions for review before their sudden transfers. Public concern has grown over the timing of these reassignments, particularly given the conspicuous absence of Vintmark and associated agencies from CS Mutua's published list of fraudulent recruitment firms. Adding to the controversy, Vintmark Travel Agency Ltd's attempts to negotiate with NEA proved futile when the agency insisted on license reinstatement as a precondition for victim compensation. Meanwhile, Kingori has remained silent regarding both the allegations and his alleged role in influencing the investigators' transfers.