By Our Reporter
KAMPALA
Police has arrested a prime suspect in an online fraud scheme targeting foreign tourists through a purported car-hire and tour company, FK Car Rental.
According to ACP Rusoke Kituuma, the Police Spokesperson, Faisal Kimuli was arrested on 2nd October, 2026 after a spirited chase that involving tracking and tracing was carried out by the Tourism Police.
Kituuma says that on 16 August 2026, a Russian tourist reported to the Uganda Tourism Board that he had paid USD 2,215 to FK Car Rental for the hire of a vehicle that was never delivered. Shortly after receiving the payment, the website was taken down and all the contact numbers associated with the business were switched off.
Further complaints from other foreign tourists revealed a similar pattern, with the same operator allegedly running several online platforms advertising gorilla permits, safaris and 4×4 vehicle hire, among other tourism-related services.
Kituuma says that following the complaints, their Tourism Police commenced investigations.
The Investigations established that the suspect allegedly used professionally designed advertisements, including photographs taken with genuine tourists, to create an impression of legitimacy.
He operated under various false identities, including “Becky,” “Kim Quinn” and “Habimana Samuel,” and offered services at prices significantly below the prevailing market rates.
The suspect allegedly required tourists to make advance payments through mobile money or bank transfers, mainly through WhatsApp. He would reportedly claim to be outside Uganda and subsequently become unreachable after receiving payment. He also frequently changed telephone numbers, mobile devices, accounts and websites in an apparent attempt to evade detection
“Investigations are ongoing to establish the full extent of the fraud, identify additional victims and possible accomplices, and trace and recover the funds obtained through the alleged fraudulent activities,” says Kituuma in a statement issued today, Tuesday, 6th October, 2026.
Police urges tourists and members of the public to exercise caution when booking tourism services online.
“Tourists seeking gorilla permits are particularly advised to obtain them directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or engage tourism operators licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB),” says Rusoke.
Anyone who may have paid money to the accounts or telephone numbers associated with the suspect, or who has fallen victim to similar fraudulent tourism schemes, is encouraged to report to Katwe Police Station or the nearest police station.
