Police in Nyali, Mombasa County, have arrested arrested a suspect who has been conning unsuspecting travelers searching for short-stay accomodation out of their money.

This holiday season, cases of Kenyans been tricked into paying money meant for their accommodation to fraudsters have been on the rise in the Coastal region.

In one incident, on December 1, 2025, a resident of Nairobi wanted to spend quality time with his family at the coast. While scrolling through listings online, police say he came across a property dubbed “Brima Mangu Apartment 2B” purporting to be in Mombasa. The photos showcased a stunning apartment. After striking up a conversation with the alleged owner, one Brian Masika, they agreed on a deal of KSh6,000 per night. The resident would later send KSh24,000 for four nights, unaware he was dealing with a conman.

Upon arriving in Mombasa on December 4, 2025, he made attempts to contact Brian Masika but he was nowhere to be found. He eventually decided to report the matter to authorities.

“Thanks to forensic leads, they flushed him out of his hideout, subsequently arresting him,” police say. “Masika is now cooling his heels in custody, undergoing processing pending arraignment.”

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is now urging Kenyans to exercise caution when booking accommodations online this festive season. “Remember, not every enticing offer is legitimate, stay vigilant to avoid falling prey to scams.”