Kampala, Uganda: The number of victims defrauded by controversial socialite and Skypins Tours and Travel Director, Asiimwe Christian alias Don Chris, has surged to over 350, with police confirming losses amounting to more than Shs1.75 billion in what is now one of the biggest travel scam investigations in recent years.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango revealed on Friday, July 11, that the number of complainants has quadrupled since investigations began in June, with many of the victims alleging they were lured into paying hefty sums under the guise of securing jobs abroad.
“Initially, 85 victims reported being conned, but the number has now risen to over 350, being conned of Shs1.75 billion,” said Onyango in a press briefing, adding that police have now intensified the hunt for Don Chris.
The victims were each charged between Shs3.5 million and Shs10 million, purportedly as upfront payments for job placements in countries such as Canada, the UK, Qatar, Dubai, and Luxembourg.
How the Scam Operated
Skypins Tours and Travel ran an aggressive job marketing campaign through TV, radio, and social media, promising work abroad under a flexible “loan scheme.” Recruits were told to pay half of the fees upfront and were issued receipts bearing the company’s stamp. Travel was promised within two to six months, none of which ever materialized.
The company initially operated from Haruna Shopping Mall in Ntinda, an upscale Kampala urban suburb, where the bulk of the fraud took place, before quietly relocating to Kitende along Entebbe Road.
By the time victims returned demanding refunds or explanations, the offices had been abandoned.
Police said the victims began raising red flags after failed travel dates and consistent dodging by company agents. Multiple refund demands were ignored. Many of the victims then petitioned State Minister for Gender and Labour Balaam Barugahara, who forwarded the matter to Kampala Metropolitan Criminal Investigations Division.
Illegal Operation and Threats to Victims
Investigators later discovered that Skypins Tours and Travel was not licensed by the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development to operate as an external labour recruitment agency. This further confirmed that the entire operation was fraudulent.
Some victims have also accused Don Chris of using threats and intimidation to silence them when they demanded refunds or accountability.
Onyango reiterated that a general inquiry file has already been opened, and efforts are underway to track down and arrest Don Chris, who is currently on the run, and believed to be overseas based on his social media activity.
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