Kenyan TikToker Rish Kamunge Charged Over Fraudulent Job Scheme in Mauritius
Kenyan TikToker Rish Kamunge was released on a Ksh5 million bond after being charged with a fraudulent job scheme targeting Kenyans seeking employment in Mauritius. Victims reported paying up to Ksh400,000 for nonexistent jobs, with some stranded upon arrival in Mauritius. Rish admitted to collecting Ksh12.9 million from 43 victims, prompting police calls for further reports from others affected.
Kenyan TikToker Wangare Kamunge, popularly known as Rish Kamunge, has been released on a personal bond of Ksh5 million after being arraigned in court for allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent job scheme targeting Kenyans aspiring to work in Mauritius. The court granted her bond despite the prosecution’s request for detention for an additional seven days.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported that Rish, who is the director of Trustpine Travel Agency, collected payments ranging from Ksh200,000 to Ksh400,000 from victims who anticipated securing jobs that were ultimately non-existent.
Many victims, after making payments, traveled to Mauritius only to find themselves stranded at the airport without any support and were later deported back to Kenya. The DCI also revealed that Rish admitted to collecting a sum of Ksh12.9 million from 43 victims, leading to her court appearance and brief remand at the Capital Hill Police Station.
Following these revelations, detectives have called on any additional victims of the scam to report their cases to the Central Police Station in Nairobi. In a recent demonstration on March 27, numerous Kenyans stormed the offices of Trustpine Travel Agency, demanding refunds for the money they had paid for jobs abroad, with many asserting they had traveled over 3,100 kilometers to Mauritius in vain.
Victims indicated that they discovered the job agency through online advertisements. For instance, one victim, Faith Nasimiyu, detailed her experience of paying Ksh225,000, which included an initial down payment of Ksh80,000 followed by an additional Ksh145,000 for flight tickets.
In conclusion, the case against Rish Kamunge underscores the risks associated with fraudulent job schemes exploiting the aspirations of job seekers. The DCI continues to encourage victims to report their experiences, while the revelations serve as a cautionary tale highlighting the need for vigilance in the pursuit of international employment opportunities.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
