Businesswoman accused of fraud in phony online holiday homes deal

The woman had been duping unsuspecting individuals. [iStockphoto]

A businesswoman accused of defrauding members of the public hundreds of thousands in phony holiday homes plans has been arrested by the police.

The 24-year-old entrepreneur was arrested by DCI detectives at Ruaka, Kiambu on Friday, when she turned up at a local bank to enquire on her funds that had been held by the bank.

DCI boss Mohammed Amin, in a message posted on social media, said the bank had flagged the woman's cash after observing suspicious transactions in her accounts.

According to the police, the woman had been duping unsuspecting individuals that she was in a position to rent them holiday homes during the Christmas holiday season.

Police investigations have revealed that some of the people who have lost their money were abroad.

Amin said the suspect operated several social media platforms where she posted images of beautiful holiday homes that she promised to lease out during the festive season.

Some of the properties that she alleged to own are located in tourist destination cities such as Mombasa, Kisumu and Nairobi.

And to further conceal her identity, the businesswoman was found to be operating several mobile phones that she used to collect money.

These lines were registered using stolen ID cards, police said.

The trader will be charged in court with among other offences, obtaining money by false pretence.