Businessman Brian Reeves has been accused of posing as a Canadian Embassy consular and defrauding a travel company of more than Sh51 million. According to an investigating officer, Reeves received Sh51,244,065 from Golden Key Travel Consultant Limited in connection with Canadian visa processing. The officer told Magistrate Paul Mutai that the amount initially reported was Sh89.1 million but was revised after investigators excluded cash transactions they could not verify.
The court heard that Reeves introduced himself to the travel company as a Canadian Embassy consular and offered to facilitate visa applications for clients travelling to Canada. The company allegedly provided him with visa appointment and biometric documents, receipts, acknowledgement forms, and authorization letters. This allowed Reeves to process visa applications, but investigators claim that the visas supplied to the company were allegedly found to be fake.
Investigators told the court that a fake Seychelles expatriate card and identification card were recovered from Reeves' residence after his arrest. The money was allegedly sent through banks and M-Pesa by the company's director and employees. Company director Bonventure Arandi allegedly transferred Sh1.5 million, while Nancy Nanjira Odungo sent Sh28.86 million and Grace Wamboge Wamboka transferred Sh20.27 million.
Another Sh445,000 transaction involved Lydia Nyangala Kea. The investigating officer said bank statements confirmed that the funds were received in accounts associated with Reeves. Detectives contacted the Canadian Embassy over 141 clients whose visa applications had allegedly been submitted. According to the officer, the embassy responded on April 17, 2025, confirming that Reeves was not a consular at the embassy.
The court heard that six clients successfully obtained visas and travelled to Canada. However, several other visas supplied to the company were allegedly found to be fake. Reeves' lawyer challenged the production of some documents, arguing that they had been presented by witnesses who were not their makers. Magistrate Mutai ruled that production and admissibility were separate issues, allowing the prosecution to proceed.
The case continues, with the defence expected to cross-examine the investigating officer. The charges against Reeves include obtaining money by false pretences and impersonating a public officer. If convicted, Reeves could face a lengthy prison sentence and hefty fines. The court has ordered Reeves to be held in custody as the case continues.
The alleged fraud has raised concerns about the security of travel documents and the ease with which fake identities can be created. The Canadian Embassy has assured the public that it is working with Kenyan authorities to investigate the matter and prevent similar incidents in the future. The case is set to continue in the coming weeks, with further witnesses expected to testify against Reeves.
Key points
- Brian Reeves allegedly posed as a Canadian Embassy consular and defrauded a travel company of over Sh51 million.
- The court heard that six clients successfully obtained visas and travelled to Canada, while several other visas supplied to the company were allegedly found to be fake.
- Reeves' lawyer challenged the production of some documents, but the prosecution was allowed to proceed.
