Detectives in Kenya have arrested a 17-year-old girl and two accomplices for allegedly faking her own kidnapping in a scheme to extort money from her family.
According to a statement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Monday, September 30, 2024, the teenage girl collaborated with two male friends to stage her abduction, demanding a ransom from her family.
“Detectives in Imenti North, Meru County, have apprehended three 17-year-olds who orchestrated a fake kidnapping in Kainginyo, Thimbiri location, and demanded Sh6 million ransom from the girl’s family,” the statement said.
In what authorities described as a “misguided get-rich-quick scheme,” the group faked the girl’s disappearance, then contacted her parents, threatening harm unless the ransom was paid.
Upon receiving a missing person report on September 24, officers from Meru Police Station launched a search for the girl while her family negotiated with the “kidnappers.” However, Imenti North detectives soon uncovered the ruse, revealing that the girl, identified as Jane (not her real name), had been in on the plan.
Following forensic investigations, police tracked down Jane and her accomplices at their hideout in Kainginyo, where they also discovered 20 rolls of marijuana.
The DCI confirmed that the girl and her accomplices are now in custody at Igoji Police Station and are facing charges of conspiracy to defraud and possession of narcotics.
