The Australian High Commission in Kenya has issued a public warning over a surge in fraudulent job and visa schemes falsely linked to its officers, cautioning Kenyans against falling victim to scammers exploiting the desire to work abroad.
In a statement released on Thursday, January 29, the High Commission said the misleading advertisements mainly target job seekers hoping to migrate to Australia, falsely claiming that embassy officials can secure employment or fast-track visa approvals.
The mission made it clear that no officer at the Australian High Commission is authorised to arrange jobs or assist individuals with visa applications. It warned that people named in such advertisements are not affiliated with the mission and engaging them could lead to financial loss, identity theft, or other forms of exploitation.
The Commission further advised the public to be cautious of suspicious communications, noting that all official emails from the Australian government end with “.gov.au”. Any messages or agencies promising guaranteed jobs or visas should be treated as fraudulent and reported.
Official services offered by the Australian High Commission in Nairobi – including visa processing, citizenship matters, and consular assistance – are conducted strictly through recognised channels such as the mission’s official website and accredited visa centres.
The warning comes amid a growing wave of migration-related scams in Kenya. Authorities say many victims have lost thousands of shillings to fake recruitment agencies offering overseas jobs. Recently, the Labour Ministry flagged more than 116 unverified agencies involved in such schemes.
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has urged Kenyans seeking foreign employment to confirm that recruiters are approved by the ministry before making any payments.
The High Commission encouraged Kenyans to rely on verified information sources and to question unsolicited offers demanding upfront fees, warning that scammers increasingly use social media and messaging apps to appear legitimate.