NAIROBI – The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has issued a stark warning to the Kenyan public regarding a significant increase in violent crimes and financial fraud linked to online dating platforms. In a public alert released around Thursday, November 13, 2025, the agency detailed a disturbing trend where criminals exploit the anonymity of dating apps to lure unsuspecting individuals into dangerous situations, culminating in robbery, assault, and substantial financial loss.

The DCI's warning comes amid growing evidence of the severe economic and personal cost of these scams. According to a June 2025 report by TransUnion, a global information and insights company, Kenyans targeted by online romance scams lose an average of KSh 116,000 each. The report, titled “H1 2025 Update to the State of Omnichannel Fraud,” further revealed that 82% of Kenyans were targeted by online fraudsters between August and December 2024, with 11% admitting to falling victim to the schemes. The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has also highlighted the scale of the broader cybercrime issue, reporting that the country lost KSh 10.71 billion to cyber threats in 2023.

The Anatomy of a Modern Romance Scam

Investigators have outlined a common and often violent modus operandi. Perpetrators, both male and female, create convincing profiles on popular dating sites and social media platforms, often using stolen photographs and fabricated identities to appear trustworthy and appealing. They invest time, sometimes months, in cultivating a false sense of trust and emotional connection with their targets.

Once a bond is established, the victim—who can be a Kenyan citizen or a foreign national—is invited to meet in person. The DCI stated that these meetings are frequently arranged in private, unfamiliar locations such as rented high-end apartments or Airbnbs, which are chosen to create a façade of safety and legitimacy. “Tragically, these gatherings frequently culminate in ambushes, robberies, and, in some cases, physical assaults,” the DCI statement warned.

A recent case highlighted by the DCI illustrates the danger. On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, detectives in Nyali, Mombasa, arrested two members of a syndicate that specialized in targeting foreigners. According to the DCI report, a Mombasa-based woman named Samira Mumbi Kiarie had cultivated an online relationship with a British national for several months. After luring him to her apartment for what he believed was a “dream romantic date,” two male accomplices stormed the residence. One posed as an enraged husband while the other brandished a fake police ID, coercing the victim into transferring KSh 800,000 to mobile money accounts under duress.

This is not an isolated incident. The DCI also cited cases where a man in Nakuru was robbed of KSh 400,000 after being lured to a house in the Milimani Estate, and a Nairobi businessman lost KSh 300,000 to a woman he met online.

A Global Problem with Local Roots

The rise in romance scams is a global phenomenon, but Kenya has been identified as an emerging hotspot. An Interpol-led operation, codenamed “Contender 3.0,” conducted between July and August 2025, saw 260 suspected cybercriminals arrested across 14 African countries for sextortion and romance scams, with Kenya being a key area of focus. The U.S. Department of State has gone as far as to issue an explicit warning to its citizens that “Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Kenya.”

Experts suggest that high youth unemployment and widespread digital connectivity have contributed to the rise of these crimes. The sophistication of Kenyan scammers, who often have strong English proficiency and an understanding of Western culture, makes them particularly effective at deceiving targets abroad.

DCI Recommendations for Staying Safe Online

In response to the escalating threat, the DCI has urged the public to exercise extreme caution when forming relationships online. The agency provided the following safety guidelines:

• Verify Identities: Be wary of profiles that appear too perfect or stories that are inconsistent. Attempt to verify the person’s identity through video calls or by checking for a consistent digital footprint across multiple social media platforms.
• Protect Personal Information: Avoid sharing sensitive personal or financial details, such as bank account numbers, PINs, or home addresses, with individuals you have only met online.
• Meet in Public Places: For any first in-person meeting, always choose a safe, public, and well-lit venue like a restaurant, café, or shopping mall. Avoid private residences or secluded locations.
• Inform a Trusted Contact: Before meeting someone new, inform a friend or family member of your plans, including the location, time, and the identity of the person you are meeting.

The DCI emphasized that fraudsters are highly skilled at emotional manipulation and urged citizens to prioritize personal safety over romantic prospects when red flags appear. Any suspected scam or criminal activity should be reported to the nearest police station or DCI office immediately.