KAMPALA, Uganda (UGNEWSLINE) – For the tourist, it appeared to be a straightforward holiday booking: a vehicle, a safari and the promise of seeing Uganda’s famous wildlife.
Then, after thousands of dollars changed hands, the website disappeared.
Ugandan police say they have arrested a man suspected of running an online fraud operation that allegedly targeted foreign tourists searching for car hire, gorilla permits and safari services.
Police identified the suspect as Faisal Kimuli, who was arrested on October 2, following an investigation launched after complaints from tourists.
The case came to light after a Russian tourist reported to the Uganda Tourism Board on 16 August that he had paid $2,215 to a company calling itself FK Car Rental.
According to police, the promised vehicle was never delivered. Soon after the payment was made, the company’s website went offline and its telephone numbers were switched off.
What investigators uncovered next pointed to a wider operation, police said.
The suspect allegedly operated several online platforms advertising tourism services and used polished promotional material, including photographs taken with genuine tourists, to make the businesses appear legitimate.
Police say he also operated under several identities, including “Becky”, “Kim Quinn” and “Habimana Samuel”, while offering deals priced well below normal market rates.
Tourists were allegedly directed to make advance payments through mobile money or bank transfers, often after communicating with the operator on WhatsApp. In some cases, police say, the suspect claimed to be outside Uganda before becoming unreachable once payment had been made.
“The suspect frequently changed telephone numbers, mobile devices, accounts and websites in an apparent attempt to evade detection,” police spokesman Rusoke Kituuma said.
The arrest comes as online travel scams become an increasingly international problem, exploiting the trust of travellers who book accommodation, transport and experiences remotely before arriving in a foreign country.
Uganda is a major destination for wildlife tourism, with its mountain gorillas among the attractions drawing visitors from around the world.
Police say the investigation is continuing to determine how many people may have been affected and whether others were involved.
Investigators are also seeking to trace and recover money allegedly obtained through the scheme.
Police have urged tourists to verify online tourism businesses before sending money, particularly when booking gorilla permits.
They advise travellers to obtain permits directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or use tourism operators licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board.
Anyone who believes they may have transferred money to accounts or telephone numbers linked to the suspect, or who may have fallen victim to a similar scheme, has been urged to report the matter to Katwe Police Station or the nearest police station.
For investigators, the arrest may be only the beginning.
The task now is to establish how far the alleged digital trail stretches, and how many holiday dreams may have ended with a payment, a vanished website and a silent phone.
