Police authorities have arrested a scam suspect with a notoriety for going into hiding after booking lavish Airbnb units.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said on Wednesday that Samwel Malish and his two accomplices had booked a three-bedroom Airbnb for two weeks at the Jumeirah Palm Resort in Mombasa and vanished without paying any fees.
“They first sent an RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement) message for Ksh.105,800, but the funds never reflected in Airbnb’s account. When the host inquired about the missing payment, Malish confidently claimed that his company would cover the bill before their departure,” the statement read in part.
The bill was however not paid as the trio disappeared.
A further probe into the suspect revealed that he has been wanted for swindling victims across Africa, and has even been involved in criminal activities in Australia.
“He and his partners in crime previously defrauded a Beach Hotel in Mombasa in the same fashion,” DCI added.
Malish will now remain in custody pending a further probe.
Meanwhile, a manhunt has been launched for his accomplices.
