Detectives have arrested a suspected conman, who masqueraded as a senior government aide and swindled a Kenyan woman out of Sh130,000.

Abraham Kimeli duped the woman out of her cash by promising her a lucrative job in public service.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kimeli posed as the personal assistant to Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, luring his unsuspecting victim into an elaborate trap that preyed on her desperation for a stable future.

The case came to light after Pauline Majengo, a Kenyan working in Lebanon, courageously went public with her ordeal in 2024.

Her heartbreaking account began with a chance encounter on TikTok with a user calling himself "City Tycoon." From that online interaction, she was introduced to a man identified as Lagat, who claimed to be well-connected in government and offered to link her directly to Koskei's office.

In a deeply emotional Facebook post that has since drawn widespread sympathy, Pauline revealed the painful details of how her savings slipped into the fraudster's hands.

"Back last year, I was looking for a job here in Kenya. I didn't want to stay outside the country because of my kid. Lagat told me he would connect me with his boss, Koskei. He gave him my number and we talked on WhatsApp," she wrote.

"Koskei said I should send money, and I did. All the amount, Ksh130,000, I sent through my ex-boss. They promised I would start work in June last year. I landed back, only to realise it was lies. Until now, one year later, I have no job. They ghosted me. I am depressed. One thing I need is my money back so I can open a small business. Please share my story so I get justice. I have been crying day and night. Felix Koskei, return my money. Mimi ni yatima (I am an orphan)."

Investigators later established that Kimeli had perfected the art of deception, operating with forged documents carrying the insignia of the Public Service Commission to appear authentic.

To further cement his lie, he maintained the facade of a powerful official, convincing Pauline and those around her that the deal was genuine.

Even Pauline's employer in Lebanon believed the arrangement was legitimate and assisted her in wiring the funds through Western Union.

But what appeared to be a golden opportunity turned out to be a cruel con that left her jobless, penniless, and devastated.

The DCI, confirming the arrest through a statement posted on social media, said, "Detectives have arrested Abraham Kimeli, a fraudster who duped a job seeker by masquerading as the personal assistant to the Head of Public Service. The victim was conned Ksh130,000 through this elaborate scheme. The suspect is in custody, undergoing processing, and will face the full force of the law."

Authorities have since issued a warning to Kenyans to remain vigilant against scammers who exploit social media to target vulnerable job seekers. They urged the public to verify employment offers through official channels and to report any suspicious dealings immediately.