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At least 263 travel agencies are under investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for conning job seekers of more than Sh1 billion.

A special team based at the Nairobi Regional DCI has launched investigations into over 700 complaints so far reported to the police.

According to the Nairobi DCI boss Benson Kasyoki, the number is expected to increase as they are still reported.

“He said the victims paid between Sh30,000 and Sh150,000 for them to secure the jobs in vain. Some had paid in full and others half before they realized they were being conned,” he said. The Nairobi DCI boss said even as they were still receiving the complaints, detectives were also trying to reclaim some of the lost money.

So far, nine files are pending in courts, seven have been sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) with various recommendations while 21 cases are pending the arrest of suspects.

“These suspects are at large after they among others switched off their mobile phones or changed their locations,” he said in his office.

Visit DCI

Kasyoki also appealed to victims of the fraud to visit the Nairobi Area DCI offices for help.

“We have a team that is pursuing the matter to the end. We assure the victims that they will get justice,” he said.

So far, the National Employment Authority (NEA) has revoked the license of some of the affected agencies following a public outcry over accusations they conned job seekers of millions of shillings.

Victims who include Kenyans and foreigners say they each paid up to about Sh150,000 to the companies that promised jobs in Canada, United Kingdom and Germany that never materialized.

The DCI has recorded complaints from scores of victims who allege applications for travel and work documents were falsified which saw several of applicants issued with visa bans and disqualifications.

Scores of people claiming to have been scammed have continued to come forward with some invading the offices of the companies seeking a refund.