A travel agent and a key mastermind involved fake foreign jobs syndicate defrauding gullible Kenyans millions of shillings has been detained until October 6,2024 to allow the police complete investigations.
Brian Reeves Obare is accused of fleecing a total of Sh7.9million shillings from unsuspecting Kenyans in pretext that he was in a position to secure job opportunities for them in Canada.
He had appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina yesterday who was to deliver a ruling on bond terms but recused himself from the case.
Magistrate Onyina said the he will not handle this matter because the family of the accused approached him in chambers at tried to persuade him to be lenient.
“I will not handle this matter because the defense approached me and tried to convince me to be lenient while delivering a ruling on bail.” Onyina ruled.
Today, the matter was handled by Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego who detained him.
Obare is accused of obtaining money with intent to defraud on diverse dates between January 1,2022 and January 31,2024 at Nairobi City in Nairobi county amounting to Sh7,948,650.
He is said to have obtained the money from Nancy Najira Odhungo.
The money was allegedly meant visa application on her behalf by Golden Key Travel the Canadian Embassy for the said clients knowing it was untrue.
The defense had requested that the suspect be detained.
Lawyer Alex Masake appearing for the complainant requested the court to consider that there are other victims who have also recorded statements that they have been defrauded.
He said that the accused place of aboard is not known and he kept changing his mobile phone.
Masake said that the suspect is a bearer of foreign passports and is frequent traveller thus he should be denied bail.
The prosecution said that the accused is highly likely to interfere with the witnesses.
The prosecution informed the court that ever since accused was presented before the court, he has been at large and his mobile has been off air since then and that his office has been closed at Golden Key Travel Consultants.
The prosecution said it has taken so long to complete this matter and a lot of resources has been used in effecting his arrest in this matter.
“If he is released, he may not come to court to complete this matter since he is a frequent traveller from outside and inside the country.” Added Investigating Officer Eunice Njeri.
The officer said that if the accused is released he may lead the country in problems.
The actual place of aboard of the accused is unknown.
Obare’s arrest took place in Ongata Rongai town, a culmination of efforts sparked by a formal complaint lodged by one of his victims on August 19, 2024.
The investigation gained momentum following a further detailed report captured in another letter dated October 8, 2024.
According to the allegations, Obare colluded with accomplices to lure victims with false promises of employment opportunities in Canada, assuring them of assistance with necessary documentation.
Tragically, these assurances were nothing more than empty words, leaving many individuals in severe financial hardships.
The court directed that the pre bail report be prepared and presented in court on November 6 ,2024, and further directed the accused to be remanded at Capitol Hill Police Station in Nairobi.