DNK International By Our Correspondent, Kampala.
Uganda Police have arrested Faisal Kimuli, a prime suspect in an alleged online fraud scheme targeting foreign tourists through a purported car-hire and tour company, FK Car Rental.
Police said a Russian tourist reported on August 16, 2026, that he had paid USD 2,215 to FK Car Rental for a vehicle that was never delivered.
The company’s website was subsequently taken down, while its contact numbers were switched off.
Investigations established that other foreign tourists had reported similar incidents involving online platforms advertising gorilla permits, safaris and 4×4 vehicle hire.
Police said Kimuli allegedly used professionally designed advertisements and photographs taken with genuine tourists to create an impression of legitimacy.
He reportedly operated under several identities, including “Becky,” “Kim Quinn” and “Habimana Samuel.”
According to police, tourists were asked to make advance payments through mobile money or bank transfers, mainly via WhatsApp, after which the suspect allegedly became unreachable and frequently changed phone numbers, devices, accounts and websites.
Kimuli was traced and arrested on October 2, and investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the alleged fraud, identify other victims and possible accomplices, and recover the funds.
Assistant Commissioner of Police R. Kituuma urged tourists to exercise caution when booking tourism services online, advising those seeking gorilla permits to obtain them directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or use tourism operators licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).
Anyone who may have sent money to accounts or telephone numbers associated with the suspect, or fallen victim to similar schemes, has been urged to report to Katwe Police Station or the nearest police station.
[Mfalme News@October 6,2026]
