Four Arrested as Jobseekers Lose Up to Ksh600,000 Each in Fake Police Recruitment Scam

Detectives have arrested four suspects linked to a recruitment scam that targeted Kenyans desperate for jobs in the National Police Service (NPS), leaving several victims counting huge financial losses.

In a statement issued on Saturday, December 13, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspects had been posing as well-connected individuals who could allegedly secure police jobs for a fee. The fraudsters took advantage of the recently concluded NPS recruitment exercise to lure unsuspecting jobseekers.

One of the suspects, identified as Samuel Lemino Sunkuli, was arrested by officers from Kamukunji Police Station. Investigators say Sunkuli defrauded a Kenyan Sh450,000 after promising to secure employment for the victim’s relative in the police service. He allegedly claimed he could “open doors” within the system and provide an official docket number.

Detectives moved swiftly after receiving intelligence and laid a trap that led to his arrest in Nairobi’s Central Business District. At the time of arrest, Sunkuli was found in possession of a forged docket number, which he had allegedly presented as proof of a successful application.

The arrest opened the door to a wider investigation that led officers to Ngara, where three more suspects were rounded up in a separate but related operation. Acting on a tip-off, detectives uncovered a group that had been selling fake NPS calling letters to desperate jobseekers.

At the scene, police found ten young people who had each paid between Ksh600,000 and Ksh700,000 after being promised guaranteed admission to the NPS Main Campus in Kiganjo. Many of the victims said they had borrowed money or sold personal belongings in the hope of securing stable government jobs.

A search of a Toyota Sienta linked to the suspects yielded Ksh700,000 in cash, believed to be proceeds of the scam, as well as ten counterfeit calling letters. Following the discovery, Tony Wanyota, Timon Kimeli, and Isaac Lang’at were arrested and taken into custody.

All four suspects are currently being held as detectives finalise investigations ahead of their arraignment in court.

The DCI has warned members of the public to be extremely cautious of individuals claiming they can influence police recruitment. Authorities reiterated that recruitment into the National Police Service is free, transparent, and based strictly on merit.

“NPS recruitment does not require any payment or connections,” the DCI stated, urging jobseekers to report anyone demanding money in exchange for recruitment slots.

The arrests come just days after another similar case was uncovered in Nairobi. On December 9, officers from Parliament Police Station arrested two women accused of selling fake police calling letters in the Kencom area. 

The suspects, Evaline Jepchirchir Rotich and Jane Chepkonga Chelanga, were allegedly collecting money from jobseekers while promising guaranteed employment.

During that operation, police recovered over Ksh330,000 believed to be proceeds of crime. Further investigations led officers to Upper Hill, where a third suspect escaped after abandoning a vehicle. A search of the car revealed additional fake calling letters.