- The syndicate, according to Muslims for Human Rights who have received about five such cases in the last two years, involves mostly officers attached to the Tourist Police Unit.
- Two police officers attached to the Tourist Police Unit at Bamburi police station were on Monday arrested after extorting about Sh106,000 from a German.
Police in Mombasa are investigating a possible syndicate involving officers colluding with civilians to extort money from foreigners by intimidating them.
The syndicate, according to Muslims for Human Rights who have received about five such cases in the last two years, involves mostly officers attached to the Tourist Police Unit.
“It mostly happens in the North Coast from Mtwapa going towards Malindi. The officers usually work with beach boys and sex workers,” said Muhuri rapid response officer Francis Auma.
According to Auma, the syndicate has been operating for a long time and has made a killing out of unsuspecting foreigners.
“It seems they usually study their prey to establish whether they are moneyed or not and to know their weakness before they pounce,” Auma told the Star on the phone.
He said he believes the cases are more than those reported because most victims fear the repercussions of reporting.
“They fear they might be deported and prefer to suffer in silence. They could also be intimidated into keeping quiet,” Auma said.
His revelation comes after two police officers attached to the Tourist Police Unit at Bamburi police station were on Monday arrested after extorting about Sh106,000 from a German, Werner Bance.
Police are searching for a third suspect, a woman, who was working with them.
According to police, the woman on January 2 approached Bance at an eatery along the Mombasa-Malindi highway requesting him to buy for her lunch.
“But he refused and later gave her Sh100 but the lady refused to go. The lady removed one breast which she insisted he should touch,” reads a police report.
Bance refused, saying he is married to a Kenyan woman.
Frustrated by her failed attempt at seduction, the woman made a phone call and two people, a man and a woman, came.
They threatened Bance with a seven-year jail term if he did not part with 1,500 euros.
“He told them he did not have that amount but could raise 800 euros at the Indiana hotel. The two people took a taxi to Indiana and snatched his phone upon arriving at the hotel. He was instructed to go and collect the money,” the police report says.
Bance fetched the 800 euros and was given back his phone. He reported the matter at the Bamburi police station under OB Number 38/04/01/2021.
An identification parade was done and Bance positively identified the woman and man who were arrested.
Kisauni subcounty police commander Peter Maluki said the two were being questioned and will help in the search for the third person.
“Since we have them in custody, they will explain who else they have been working with,” Maluki said.
Auma said rogue police officers, beach boys and sex workers also use children to set up foreigners who are later accused of molesting the children or shooting pornographic materials.
“So, this is not a new thing. Police are involved in dirty businesses,” the human rights defender said.
He called on Interior CS Fred Matiang’i to clean up the police service.
Edited by Henry Makori