Sh800,000 down the drain: Briton’s Nyali ‘dream date’ turns nightmare

What began as a romantic evening in Mombasa’s plush Nyali neighbourhood turned into a nightmare after a British national was conned and robbed of Sh800,000 in a well-planned “love trap”.

According to police sources, the victim had travelled to the Coast to meet a woman he had been dating online for several months.

The woman, identified as Samira Mumbi Kiarie, is said to have invited him to her apartment for what appeared to be their first intimate date.

Moments after the Briton arrived, the encounter took a dramatic turn. Two men suddenly burst into the house—one claiming to be Samira’s enraged husband, the other flashing what looked like a police identification badge.

The supposed husband accused the foreigner of breaking up his family, while the “officer” allegedly threatened to arrest him for immoral behaviour.

Overwhelmed and frightened, the visitor reportedly complied when ordered to transfer Sh800,000 to mobile numbers provided by the intruders.

After the money was sent, the men calmly escorted him outside and disappeared into the night.

Detectives later launched a forensic investigation that led to the arrest of Samira Kiarie and one of her alleged accomplices, Paul Webster Mangeni (alias Paulo), who were tracked down within Mombasa County.

A senior police officer confirmed the arrests, saying officers acted swiftly after analysing digital and financial footprints linked to the crime.

“The suspects were traced through coordinated surveillance and intelligence. They are assisting us with investigations, and more arrests are expected,” he said.

Police say the suspects may be part of a wider network targeting foreigners through dating platforms.

They then lure them to short-stay apartments where they are robbed under similar circumstances.

The officer cautioned visitors and residents alike to remain vigilant when meeting new acquaintances online, noting that such scams have become increasingly sophisticated.

“People should always meet in public places and avoid sharing financial information or making transfers under pressure,” he advised.

The two suspects remain in custody as investigators pursue their alleged third accomplice, who is still at large.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has since urged anyone who may have fallen victim to a similar scheme to report to the nearest police station to assist with ongoing inquiries.