Detectives from the Nairobi-based Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) have arrested a fraudster who, claiming to be one of their own, defrauded an Ethiopian refugee of more than Sh3 million in a fake citizenship scam.
The suspect is associated with a church operating in Kiambu County.
He was arrested at a hotel in Ruiru on Friday, following a complaint lodged at Capitol Hill Police Station in Nairobi.
The case was later transferred to ATPU for further investigation due to the nature of the impersonation.
Investigations revealed that between December 20, 2024, and February 12, 2025, the suspect falsely presented himself as an officer with the ATPU attached to the Directorate of Immigration Services, claiming he could assist the refugee in acquiring Kenyan citizenship.
This impersonation led him to fraudulently obtain Sh3,030,500.
After his arrest, detectives conducted a search of the suspect's residence in Kahawa West and his vehicle.
The operation led to the recovery of several pieces of evidence believed to have been used in the scam.
Among the seized items were documents and wooden stamps allegedly belonging to various government institutions.
They include the Chief Magistrate’s office in Nairobi, Kenya Immigration Office at JKIA, Immigration Control Office in Busia, the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Somalia and the Ministry of Lands.
Authorities believe these items were used to forge documents and lend credibility to the suspect’s false identity and claims.
The suspect is currently in custody as ATPU officers continue to process him pending arraignment in court.
His vehicle and the recovered items are being held as exhibits to aid in the ongoing investigations.
The ATPU has urged members of the public to be vigilant and
to report any suspicious individuals impersonating law enforcement officers.
