news 6 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Man Arrested for Online Tourism Scam Targeting Foreign Tourists
Police have apprehended a suspect, Faisal Kimuli, accused of defrauding foreign tourists through a sophisticated online car-hire and safari scam. The scam involved fake bookings for vehicles, gorilla permits, and tour packages, with victims losing significant sums of money. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/police-arrest-man-over-car-hire-scam-targeting-tourists-5622016
A man identified as Faisal Kimuli has been arrested by Ugandan police for allegedly operating an extensive online scam that preyed on unsuspecting foreign tourists. The scam centered around a purported car-hire and tour company named FK Car Rental, which advertised services such as vehicle rentals, gorilla permits, and safari packages.
Investigations were initiated following a complaint from a Russian tourist who reported paying $2,215 (approximately Shs8.2 million) for a vehicle that was never delivered. According to police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke, the scam’s modus operandi involved taking down the website and switching off all contact numbers immediately after receiving payments.
Further investigations revealed that the same individual was allegedly operating multiple online platforms under various aliases, including “Becky,” “Kim Quinn,” and “Habimana Samuel.” These platforms used professionally designed adverts and images of genuine tourists to create a false sense of legitimacy. The suspect reportedly offered services at prices significantly below market rates, requiring advance payments via mobile money or bank transfers, with most communication conducted through WhatsApp.
Authorities state that Kimuli would often claim to be outside Uganda before becoming unreachable post-payment, frequently changing phone numbers, devices, accounts, and websites to avoid detection. The police are continuing their investigation to determine the full extent of the fraud, identify any accomplices, and recover the defrauded funds.
Tourists are strongly advised to exercise caution when booking travel services online, to verify the authenticity of operators, and to consider obtaining gorilla permits directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or through Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) licensed operators. Anyone who believes they have been a victim of this or similar scams is encouraged to report to Katwe Police Station or their nearest police facility.