Suspected conman arrested after pocketing Ksh.2.5M in police recruitment scam

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kilimani have arrested a man accused of orchestrating a bold and lucrative police recruitment scam that swindled job seekers out of Ksh.2.5 million.

The suspect, identified as Benedict Odeng’ero Wekesa, was nabbed after three victims reported that he had promised them “guaranteed” admission into the National Police Service (NPS), but at a hefty price.

Each victim was allegedly issued a forged recruitment letter and assured that their placement was locked in, only to later discover the entire deal was smoke and mirrors.

“By the time reality finally kicked in, a total of Ksh.2.5 million had changed hands, and the dreams of joining the service had vanished,” the DCI said in a statement on Saturday.

Acting on the complaints, detectives laid an ambush and cornered Wekesa at the Sagret Hotel in Kilimani. During the operation, officers recovered 20 additional fake recruitment letters, suggesting the scheme may have been far more extensive than the initial reports indicated.

A second suspect, believed to be an accomplice, fled moments before officers closed in, slipping away before he could be arrested.

Wekesa is now in custody and undergoing processing ahead of his arraignment. Meanwhile, investigators say they are pursuing fresh leads to track down the fugitive suspect.

“The DCI urges members of the public to beware of fake police recruiters and reminds them that genuine enlistment into the National Police Service is free, fair, and transparent,” the State agency noted.