MOMBASA, Kenya — Detectives have arrested a man suspected of defrauding a woman of Sh130,000 in a fake Airbnb accommodation deal in Nyali, Mombasa County.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) identified the suspect as Nelson Okota Odhiambo, who was arrested in Bamburi by detectives from Nyali Sub-County following investigations into the alleged fraud.
According to the DCI, the suspect allegedly convinced the woman that he could secure Airbnb accommodation for her in Nyali, prompting her to pay Sh130,000.
However, the promised accommodation was never provided, leaving the woman out of pocket.
In a statement, the DCI said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect may have extended the alleged scheme beyond Nyali, targeting travellers planning visits to Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties.
The agency did not disclose how long the alleged scheme had been operating or whether other victims had formally reported similar incidents.
The arrest comes as the festive holiday season approaches, a period when demand for accommodation along the Kenyan coast typically attracts travellers making advance bookings.
The DCI has urged holidaymakers to exercise caution when arranging accommodation online, advising them to verify properties and confirm the identities of hosts before making payments.
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Travellers have also been cautioned against sending money through suspicious payment arrangements without establishing the legitimacy of the accommodation being advertised.
The agency said the suspect remained in custody undergoing processing ahead of his expected arraignment in court.
The case highlights the risks facing travellers who rely on online accommodation offers, particularly where payments are made before the property or host has been independently verified.
The suspect will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations through the court process.
