Nyali detectives have arrested a man accused of duping holidaymakers through fake Airbnb listings in Mombasa, bringing relief to travellers who had fallen victim to his schemes.
In a statement by the DCI on Tuesday, the suspect, identified as Brian Masika, was tracked down after a Nairobi resident lost Sh24,000 while trying to book a non-existent beach apartment.
According to the investigators, the incident began on December 1, 2025, when the Nairobi resident was planning a family getaway and came across an attractive listing called Brima Mangu Apartment 2B. The photos showed what appeared to be a modern, well-furnished holiday home “purporting to be in Mombasa.”
The victim contacted the person claiming to be the owner, Brian Masika, and agreed on a rate of Sh6,000 per night. Masika provided a pay bill number that “seemed harmless,” prompting the traveller to send Sh24,000 for four nights.
However, when the family arrived in Mombasa on December 4, they quickly realised something was wrong. All attempts to reach Masika failed, leaving them stranded without accommodation. The victim reported the scam to authorities, prompting detectives to launch a search for Masika.
Nyali detectives, following forensic leads, eventually “flushed him out of his hideout” and arrested him. He is now in custody, awaiting arraignment as investigations continue.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has warned the public to exercise caution when booking online accommodations, especially during the festive season.
“Remember, not every enticing offer is legitimate,” the DCI said, urging travellers to verify listings before making payments to avoid falling victim to scams.
