Inventive Kenyans all out to keep the dollars rolling home

By Peter Kimani

Kenyans in the diaspora continue to make us proud with their inventive ways to ensure the dollars keep rolling in. The focus was devoted this week to one Margaret Kimani (no relation to this author), who was jailed in the state of Maine in the US for organising sham marriages.

And since charity must begin at home, Margaret’s own marriage was fraudulent, coming two years after the expiry of her visitor’s visa, contracted through financial inducement to an American man who later backed out of the deal.

Never one to run out of ideas, Margaret reported the man to the authorities, alleging the man had abused her physically and sexually.

She was granted lawful stay in the US.

Meanwhile, she had learnt a thing or two about surviving in a foreign land, such as joining hands with other crooked men who knew how to make a quick buck, like charging small fortunes to introduce Africans to American citizens who were willing to act as though they are married for a fee.

Fake marriage

Margaret and her accomplices were reportedly involved in one of the largest fake marriage rackets in America, according to US authorities.

She joins other crafty compatriots who siphoned millions of dollars meant for elderly pensioners using an elaborate online scam.