Mombasa-Bound Travelers Lose Sh409,000 to Armed Gang Posing as Good Samaritans

Police in Athi River are investigating a robbery incident involving a man and a woman who were defrauded of over Sh409,000 and other valuables by a gang disguised as well-meaning ride-givers.

This event underscores a worrying trend as robbers leverage the current shortage of public transport services, particularly during the festive season when travel is at its peak. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reports that the victims were awaiting a bus to Mombasa at Mlolongo last Saturday when a private vehicle, appearing to have three additional passengers, stopped to offer them a lift. Trusting the seemingly benign offer, the victims accepted the ride. However, the situation swiftly escalated near the Simba Cement area of Athi River, where the masked intentions of the alleged good Samaritans became evident.

The gang brandished daggers, blindfolded the victims, and bound them with ropes. The male victim from Kiambu suffered considerable financial losses, including the draining of Sh340,000 from his bank account through mobile banking, an additional Sh20,000 taken from his M-Pesa account, and the theft of his phone and power bank valued at Sh75,000. Meanwhile, the female victim from Mombasa lost several valuables along with Sh49,000 from her M-Pesa account.

After the crime was committed, the victims were abandoned in the Ngarariga area of Limuru, where they received assistance from locals to report the incident to the Ngarariga Police Station. This alarming occurrence has led law enforcement to issue warnings to travellers and the public regarding the sophisticated tactics being employed by robbers. The DCI has urged individuals to exercise heightened vigilance when travelling, particularly during this high-traffic period.

Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. The case has since been handed over to DCI Athi River for further investigation. In response to this troubling trend, police officials are ramping up patrols and initiatives to combat criminal activities, particularly as increased travel presents opportunities for opportunistic crimes. Authorities are encouraging the community to report any suspicious behaviour or individuals, aiming to dismantle such criminal schemes effectively.