MOMBASA, Kenya — Detectives in Nyali have arrested a woman accused of orchestrating a dramatic robbery against her British boyfriend, swindling him out of Sh800,000 after luring him into a fake romance plot.
The suspect, Samira Mumbi Kiarie, alias Samira, allegedly invited the unsuspecting Briton to her upscale apartment in Nyali for what appeared to be a romantic date — but turned out to be a well-coordinated heist.
According to police, the victim had been in contact with Samira for months through an online dating platform. She reportedly charmed him with affection and promises of love, prompting the man to travel to Mombasa to meet her in person.
Moments after his arrival, their date took a chilling turn when two men stormed into the apartment — one posing as Samira’s enraged husband and the other flashing a fake police ID.
“The so-called husband accused the Briton of breaking his marriage, while the fake officer threatened to arrest him,” a police report indicated.
In panic, the foreigner was coerced into transferring Sh800,000 to mobile numbers provided by the gang. After receiving the money, the trio calmly escorted their victim out of the apartment and disappeared into the night.
However, their escape was short-lived. Acting on forensic intelligence, detectives tracked and arrested Samira alongside one of her alleged accomplices, Paul Webster Mangeni, alias Paulo.
Investigators have since established that the two belong to a criminal syndicate targeting foreigners through online dating sites. The group reportedly sets up victims in short-term rentals before robbing them of large sums of money.
Both suspects are currently in custody awaiting arraignment, as police pursue a third accomplice who remains at large.
Authorities have cautioned foreign nationals and locals alike to be vigilant when engaging in online relationships, warning that romance scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread along Kenya’s Coast.
