Cynthia Jemutai, a young woman from Cherangany, has narrated how she lost Sh1.2 million in a scam promising job opportunities in Canada.
In a story that appeared in a local daily, Jemutai said she was defrauded of the money by a man identified as Isaack Barmasai, who ran a travel consultancy.
She added that the man advised her to resign from her job as a staff member at Cherangany Technical Training Institute (TTI) as he would secure a job for her in Canada for Sh1.2 million.
“I come from a humble background, but I always dreamt of going abroad to change my life,” she told Tuko.
With the dream of changing her life and her family’s life, Jemutai convinced her parents to sell family land to raise the amount, which they paid in full.
The star that was about to shine started to dim when Barmasai received the amount, as he started giving excuses, citing rising flight costs and delays in employer responses.
I was conned Sh10 million in a Canada job scam in Nairobi
He later resurfaced and handed Jemutai a Visa and ticket, which were later confirmed to be forgeries.
That was not enough, as on the supposed travel date, Jemutai says Barmasai requested Sh24,000 for fuel for his Prado vehicle to drive her to the airport, which her father paid.
That was the last time they spoke to Barmasai, who switched off his phone, leaving them stranded in Eldoret, where she was supposed to be picked up.
“We even prayed at home before leaving,” she said. “But his vehicle never showed up. He told us to meet in Eldoret because our roads were bad. Once we got there, he switched off his phone.”
The family contacted the airline directly to confirm the ticket, only to discover it was fake.
“People laughed at me in the village. I had to leave. Until today, I haven’t gone back. I’m jobless and struggling to even raise Sh15,000 for my daughter’s school fees,” she said tearfully.
She is now calling for authorities to take action against Barmasai.
