Vintmark Travel Agency, headed by Ceaser King’ori, has become notorious for its involvement in a widespread job recruitment scam that defrauded thousands of Kenyan job seekers.
According to Nation Africa on March 3, King’ori’s agency, along with other companies like WorthStart Africa and WorthStart Travel Agency, promised lucrative employment opportunities abroad, particularly in Canada and Europe.
Job seekers were lured by fraudulent advertisements, including testimonials fabricated by social media influencers and media campaigns.
These deceptive practices led to the loss of over Sh2.5 billion, devastating the lives of countless individuals.
Among the victims is Janet Mwendwa, whose heartbreaking story sheds light on the emotional toll of these scams.
Ceasar King’ori, the boss of Vintmark Travel agency. Photo: Nation Source: Facebook
Mwendwa, after raising Sh240,000 from family and friends for a promised caregiver job in Canada, found herself caught in a web of deception.
The agency had falsified her application documents, resulting in a five-year visa ban.
Mwendwa now works in a cyber café in Nairobi, haunted by the guilt of disappointing those who believed in her dream of a better future. She no longer dares to return to her village in Makueni, fearing judgment and shame.
King’ori’s role in this tragedy goes beyond being just a recruiter; he was well-connected within high circles, even accompanying a Kenyan government delegation to Germany, despite not being officially part of it.
His presence at such an event was seen as a tacit endorsement, giving the impression that his operations were legitimate.
After the Nation exposed the scam, Vintmark was deregistered by the National Employment Authority, and its license was revoked, but by then, many victims had already lost their savings and hope.
Vintmark Travel Agency logo. Photo: NTV Kenya Source: Facebook
As investigations progressed, King’ori, along with other suspects like Pastor James Wanjohi and Alphonse Kioki, evaded accountability.
The police officers involved in the case faced significant hurdles, including transfers and alleged interference, raising concerns about the integrity of the investigation.
The victims, left without recourse, watched helplessly as the cases stalled, with many fraudsters like King’ori shutting down their offices to avoid scrutiny.
Despite public outcry, the lack of tangible legal action and accountability for those responsible for the scam highlights a growing concern about the effectiveness of the Kenyan justice system in tackling such widespread fraud.
As of now, King’ori’s fate remains uncertain, but the damage to his victims remains all too real.
