Pilgrims hoping for Hajj stranded in Nairobi as rogue agent cons them of cash, passports

NAIROBI—A conman posing as travel agent who can facilitate pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia has made away with millions in cash and passports from his “clients.”

It’s reported that Abdi Noor Hassan known as “Korio” duped 30 pilgrims who paid him amount ranging from sh350,000 to sh600,000 for travel documents and return ticket. The victims are now stranded in Nairobi without money, passports and the rogue travel agents in sight.

Heartbroken and conned, some of them returned to their hometowns while others stayed back to recover their money. 

On Wednesday evening, the police recovered the passports from a city hotel but the conman was not nabbed in the operation.

Kamakunji legislator condemned the incident and called for speedy probe and arrest of Mr Noor who he termed as callous.

“Outraged to hear that Abdi  Noor Hassan aka Korio has left  elderly persons who were expecting to perform their Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca this month stranded in Nairobi. He promised to get them visas but has disappeared with their passports and money instead,” the MP said.

He added that, “It’s hard to imagine a more despicable & callous act than swindling elderly people of their money & dreams of performing the Hajj, one of 5 pillars of Islam. DCI Directorate of Criminal Investigation) must leave no stone unturned to apprehend and bring to book this heartless conman.”

Over 4,800 pilgrims left the country last week for Mecca to perform the fifth pillar of Islam.