Detectives in Nyali, Mombasa, have arrested a woman and her accomplice for allegedly staging a robbery against her British boyfriend, in an elaborate scheme that saw the victim lose Sh800,000.
In a statement by the DCI on Tuesday,the suspects, Samira Mumbi Kiarie, also known as Samira, and Paul Webster Mangeni, aka Paulo, are believed to be part of a syndicate that targets foreigners through dating platforms and Airbnb rentals.
“Investigations have established that the two are part of a notorious syndicate that lures foreigners through dating sites, sets them up in Airbnbs, and robs them of their hard-earned money, "the statement read.
According to police, Samira had been courting the British national online for several months, wooing him with promises of love and a “dream date.”
"Blinded by affection, the man packed his confidence and visited her posh apartment in Nyali, oblivious that he was walking into a scripted heist,"DCI said in a statement.
Minutes into the encounter, two men burst into the apartment. One claimed to be Samira’s furious husband, while the other flashed a fake police identification card.
The “husband” accused the victim of destroying his home, as the fake officer threatened to arrest him. The terrified Briton was then coerced into transferring Sh800,000 to mobile numbers provided by the gang. After the cash was sent, the trio calmly escorted him out and disappeared into Mombasa’s night.
Acting on forensic intelligence, detectives mounted a swift operation that led to the arrest of Samira and Paulo. Both suspects are currently in police custody, undergoing processing ahead of their arraignment, while authorities continue the search for a third accomplice who remains at large.
The National Police Service has urged members of the public to report any information related to the syndicate anonymously through #FichuaKwaDCI on 0800 722 203 (toll-free) or via WhatsApp on 0709 570 000.
The case highlights a growing trend in Mombasa and other coastal towns, where criminals exploit online dating platforms to target unsuspecting foreigners.
