NAIROBI, Kenya – A woman planning a holiday at the Kenyan Coast allegedly lost Sh130,000 after paying a man who claimed he could secure her accommodation in Nyali, prompting detectives to launch investigations that ended with his arrest in Bamburi.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said detectives from Nyali Sub-County arrested Nelson Okota Odhiambo following investigative leads linking him to the suspected online accommodation fraud.
According to the investigators, the suspect allegedly presented himself as someone capable of arranging Airbnb accommodation in Nyali but failed to provide the promised booking after receiving the money.
The victim was left without the accommodation she had paid for and lost Sh130,000 in the transaction.
Investigators suspect wider holiday booking scam
Preliminary investigations suggest that the alleged scheme may have extended beyond Nyali, with detectives suspecting that the man targeted travellers planning visits to Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties.
The three counties are among Kenya’s popular coastal holiday destinations, where demand for short-term accommodation rises during travel and festive periods.
The DCI did not disclose how many other people may have fallen victim to the alleged scheme or the total amount involved.
Odhiambo remains in police custody as detectives process the case ahead of his expected arraignment in court.
Fake accommodation listings pose growing risk to travellers
The arrest highlights the risks facing travellers who rely on online advertisements and social media contacts to secure holiday accommodation without independently verifying the properties or the people collecting booking payments.
In December 2025, detectives in Nyali arrested another man accused of defrauding a Nairobi resident who had planned a family holiday in Mombasa.
In that case, the traveller allegedly paid Sh24,000 for a four-night stay advertised as Brima Mangu Apartment 2B, only to discover that the supposed accommodation arrangement was not genuine after arriving at the Coast.
More recently, concerns have emerged over the use of artificial intelligence-generated accommodation photographs to make fraudulent holiday listings appear convincing, potentially making it harder for customers to distinguish genuine properties from fabricated offers.
DCI issues warning ahead of festive travel season
With the festive season approaching, detectives have urged holidaymakers to exercise caution when booking accommodation online.
Travellers have been advised to verify the existence of advertised properties, establish the legitimacy of hosts and scrutinise payment requests before sending money.
They should also avoid relying solely on attractive photographs, online conversations or promotional offers as proof that an accommodation provider is genuine.
