Five women have been rescued in Nairobi after detectives uncovered a suspected online sexual exploitation operation where victims were allegedly lured with fake job opportunities.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said on Tuesday, July 21, that officers from its Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) conducted an intelligence-led operation in the Mihang’o area of Embakasi East, leading to the arrest of three suspects linked to the alleged scheme.
According to the DCI, criminal networks are increasingly using fraudulent employment offers to target vulnerable job seekers by promising well-paying opportunities before exploiting them.
“The DCI cautions job seekers to exercise vigilance when responding to employment offers, particularly those from unverified recruiters, as criminal networks continue to exploit vulnerable individuals through false promises of lucrative jobs,” the agency said.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the rescued women had accepted what they believed were legitimate job offers before allegedly being forced to create sexual content for commercial purposes.
Detectives found the victims confined in two bedrooms within the premises during the raid. Several items believed to have been used in facilitating the suspected operation were also recovered and documented as part of ongoing investigations.
The suspects arrested include a 43-year-old woman who is believed to have been operating the premises, her 24-year-old daughter who is suspected of recruiting the victims, and her 30-year-old son-in-law who allegedly managed the computer systems used in the operation.
The three suspects are currently being held at Kasarani Police Station as police complete investigations before they are arraigned in court.
They are expected to face charges related to human trafficking under Sections 3(1)(d) and 3(5) of the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act, alongside other possible offences.
The DCI said the rescued women will receive shelter, medical assistance and psychosocial support as authorities help them recover from the alleged exploitation.
The agency has urged Kenyans to be cautious when responding to online employment opportunities, advising job seekers to verify recruiters before sharing personal details or accepting job offers.
Members of the public have also been encouraged to report suspected cases of human trafficking and related crimes through official reporting channels to help authorities disrupt such criminal networks.