Detectives in Kenya have arrested a 17-year-old girl and two friends for allegedly conspiring to fake her own k!dnapping.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) announced on Monday, September 30, 2024, that the supposed victim collaborated with two male accomplices to stage her k!dnapping in an attempt to extort a substantial ransom from her family.
“Detectives in Imenti North, Meru County, apprehended the trio, all aged 17, who orchestrated a fraudulent k!dnapping in Kainginyo, Thimbiri location, and audaciously demanded Sh6 million from the victim’s family,” the statement revealed.
“In a clear example of a misguided get-rich-quick scheme, the three—two males and one female—faked the girl’s kidnapping and contacted her parents with threats unless they complied with their demands.”
Upon receiving reports of a missing child on September 24, officers at Meru Police Station initiated a thorough manhunt, providing support to the distressed family, whose negotiations with the alleged k!dnappers had proven futile.
As the investigation unfolded, Imenti North detectives uncovered a troubling plot. The supposed victim, identified as Jane (not her real name), had coordinated with her male accomplices to fabricate her k!dnapping in order to extort money from her family.
Through forensic investigation, Jane and her accomplices were located at their hideout in Kainginyo, where authorities also discovered 20 rolls of mar!juana.
While the family expressed relief for the safe return of their daughter, she and her co-conspirators are currently in custody at Igoji Police Station, awaiting charges for conspiracy to defraud and possession of narcot!cs.