Eldoret: Over 300 People Fall Victim To Another Job Scam By Travel Agency

• Novice Global Agency allegedly deceived unsuspecting Eldoret residents that it would connect them to jobs in Canada
• The agency owner, Gilbert Onkok, reportedly took between KSh 300,000 and KSh 350,000 from the residents for their visas and other requirements
• According to a victim, they believed in Onkok because he had stayed in Canada and also hails from Uasin Gishu

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Eldoret, Uasin Gishu - Novice Global Agency has reportedly defrauded over 300 individuals of millions of shillings through a travel abroad scam.

How much did Novice Global demand from residents?

The agency promised to secure jobs for the victims in Canada and collected between KSh 300,000 and KSh 350,000 from unsuspecting residents for paperwork, including visas and other requirements.

According to Citizen TV, Vivian Jerono, a victim who paid KSh 600,000 for herself and her sister, reported that the company later claimed their applications were denied. When she sought guidance on the next steps, she was advised to consider opportunities in Poland or Arabic countries instead.

"We submitted our applications and received notification in May 2024 that they had been rejected. Gilbert then told us to either apply for opportunities in Poland or an Arabic state," said Jerono.

Another victim, who paid KSh 700,000 for himself and his brother, fears for his financial future after investing what he described as his share of property in the hopes of landing a job abroad.

"Right now, my family share is lost and I have not gone abroad. I had hoped to find a job overseas and support my family. What will I do now?" he posed.

Why did Eldoret residents believe Novice Global?

Gilbert Onkok, the company’s owner, had asserted that he has connections in Canada due to his previous stay there. Additionally, Onkok’s local ties initially lent credibility to the scheme.

The disappointed victims say that the company has remained operational despite their plea for help from the authorities.

They have expressed frustration over local authorities' lack of action, who have allegedly avoided making arrests or addressing the media about the situation.

Meanwhile, in 2023, several residents were scammed KSh 1 billion by First Choice Recruitment Agency, based in Eldoret.

Getumbe seeks help after losing KSh 1m to scammers

In another story, gospel singer William Getumbe pleaded with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to help him after losing KSh 1 million to an Eldoret fraudulent scheme.

Getumbe claimed that the scammer had connections with local detectives, making it difficult to have him arrested.

The extent of the scam was significant, with Getumbe highlighting that the swindler had attracted more than 5,000 clients, each contributing at least KSh 100,000.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

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Novice Global Agency has defrauded over 300 people millions of money with fake job promises.

Victims of an overseas jobs scam protest in Eldoret - YouTube

Victims of overseas jobs scam hold demonstrations in Eldoret