How a Kenyan Man Allegedly Scammed Travellers of Sh51m While Posing as Canadian Diplomat

A Nairobi businessman has been charged with defrauding a travel agency of more than Sh51 million after allegedly posing as a Canadian diplomat to offer fraudulent visa services.

Brian Reeves Obare appeared before the Milimani Law Courts accused of obtaining Sh51,244,650 from Golden Kenya Travel Consultants Limited (GKTCL) between January 2022 and January 2024. Prosecutors allege that he falsely claimed to be a consul at the High Commission of Canada in Nairobi and promised to secure visas for clients intending to travel abroad.

According to the prosecution, Obare convinced GKTCL that he was authorised to process Canadian visas and instructed the agency to remit client payments directly to him. Each applicant was charged Sh450,000, with an upfront deposit of Sh124,500. Obare is charged with obtaining money by false pretences, personation under the Penal Code, and acquisition of proceeds of crime under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act. He is also accused of using funds from the alleged scheme to purchase a luxury Land Rover in June 2023.

Former GKTCL employee Lydia Nyagala told the court that she met Obare at Embassy House in Nairobi’s central business district, where he introduced himself as a Canadian consular official. She said most communication with him took place through phone calls and WhatsApp.

Nyagala testified that Obare requested full payment after sending documents he claimed were required for biometric processing. She said fewer than 50 passports were handed over to him, but none of the applicants successfully travelled to Canada. Some were arrested at airports, others were denied boarding, while several were deported mid-transit from Addis Ababa and Dubai.

She further told the court that Obare later demanded an additional Sh50,000 per client, claiming he had contacts at airports who could facilitate departures. Despite the extra payments, the visas issued were later found to be invalid.

Investigators established that Obare had no affiliation with the Canadian High Commission or any diplomatic mission in Kenya. Payments were traced to bank accounts and mobile money numbers linked to him, with total transactions estimated at Sh82 million. However, prosecutors stated that only Sh51.2 million could be fully supported by records presented in court.

GKTCL has refunded about Sh34 million to affected clients, while others are yet to recover their losses. Obare has denied all charges and was released on bond. The hearing continues at the Milimani Law Courts as prosecutors present further evidence in the case.