Police have arrested a man who has been conning unsuspecting Kenyans at the Coast region by claiming he could recruit them into the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
Mtwapa OCPD Joseph Muriuki, who confirmed the incident said the man is suspected to be the ring leader of a syndicate that has been operating in Mombasa and Kilifi counties.
Mr Muriuki said they arrested the suspect on Sunday at a hotel in Malindi Town following complaints from members of the public.
Mr Muriuki said the suspect who has been pretending to be a Kenya Navy officer is part of a cartel that has been swindling people at the Coast region by telling them that they are in a position to recruit them into KDF.
He said majority of the victims had participated in the KDF recruitment exercise adding that the man is suspected to have conned the youth millions of shillings.
“We started pursuing him when we received several complaints from victims. Some had sold their land and given him the money to secure the jobs,” said the OCPD.
OCPD Muriuki further said that they will continue to hold the suspect in police custody as the police conclude their investigations.
He added that the suspect has been positively identified by five people he has conned among them parents of the conned youth.
“We are aware that the suspect has not been operating alone. We are interrogating him to divulge more information regarding his accomplices. The suspect will be charged in court,” he said.