A Facebook post that has been widely shared claiming a resort by the name of Mara Palacio Resort is hiring as it plans to launch.
Background
Unemployment rates in Kenya have continued to rise especially after the onset of COVID-19 which has left many people without jobs as many businesses close while others downsize. This has led to stiff competition for the few available jobs with thousands of people showing up for interviews and recruitments requiring fewer candidates.
The Facebook post interested many due to the attractive salaries and fair requirements and qualifications.
Verification
The resort has a website and a Facebook page that look very professional. The website and Facebook page claim the resort is in Masai Mara Game Reserve but no specific address is provided.
A reverse search on some of the images on TinEye shows most of the images are originally from game reserves, resorts and lodges in South Africa such as & Beyond’s Phinda Rock Lodge and Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa.
A lookup of the website does not reveal ownership details of the domain but it is registered in Michigan, United States.
A Google search on the resort’s Facebook page ‘About’ statement shows that it was copied word for word from the Ngerende Island Lodge’s mission statement.
A check on their Facebook reviews shows that the resort does not exist and once someone applies, they are offered a job without even an interview. The starting date is then set for 2 or 3 days after the offer and the applicants are asked to send money ranging between Kshs 2000 to 4,000. Most have gone on to further say that the phones were disconnected after sending the money. A look at their Google reviews supports these claims as well as comments from the various posts on social media like the one below:
Be aware, Mara Palacio Resort (K) LTD is fake. A group of cons stealing from unsuspecting Kenyans. Photos in there website are from Mhondoro Safari Lodges and Villa South Africa & and Beyond Phinda Rock Lodge in South Africa.
#churchillshow #lockdown #jalango #CitizenWeekend— Kinyanjui🇰🇪 (@kiiru_kinyanjui) January 3, 2021
Verdict
The claim that a resort by the name Mara Palacio Resort is about to start operations in the Maasai Mara and is hiring it’s opening team is a SCAM.
I received the link for the job too, applied, after three weeks I received an email saying that I was qualified for the job and that no interview is to be done,how?someone called me earlier today claiming to call from the resort asking me if I’m willing to take the job and asked if I have a health certificate and other documents. Later today they sent me an sms giving me directions to the Resort. OMG!!!
Good evening!
After applying for the position of front desk at Mara Palacio Resort, I got the following message;
“REPORT on 21st Jan between 8am upto 5pm at Masai Mara Game Reserve at the Sekenani gate. Carry your personal belongings, signed APPOINTMENT Letter, copies of school papers & ID. NB: Kindly open EITHER an EQUITY, KCB or CO-OP bank account. “MARA PALACIO RESORT”
“DIRECTION; From Narok town, take matatus to Masai Mara Sekenani gate, then ask/call OR wait for the staff bus(Before 5pm) at the gate. “www.mararesort.co.ke”
Then i recieved the followin;
“To CONFIRM, ALL new MARA applicants MUST pay for the Govt. TOURISM, HEALTH & FOOD HANDLING cert fee of 2475/= at the Hotel Reception OR through our TILL no. 5649155 { LIPA na M-PESA then BUY GOODS & SERVICES} OR Mpesa to HR Mara Palacio Resort 0713364544 Mr Bett before 19th 6pm. “MARA PALACIO RESORT ”
And i did as required of me. Proof is the following;
PAF7NOOQYV Confirmed. Ksh2,475.00 paid to MARA PALACIO SEKENANI. on 15/1/21 at 7:30 PM.New M-PESA balance is Ksh4,943.65. Transaction cost, Ksh0.00. Amount you can transact within the day is 293,495.00.You can now access M-PESA via *334#
But then i got the following text on 20th of January 2021, as i was preparing to travel to report the following day that was 21st of January 2021;
“Kindly NOTE that due to the ongoing renovations the REPORTING date is POSTPONED to 8th Feb & NOT Tomorrow 21st. Please be patient. Thank you “PALACIO RESORT”
Since then their official lines have gone ” temporarily out of service”
Here are the phone numbers
0713364544
0704034047
0105792606
0105454582
I even called safaricom before and after sending the money to confirm if that till number belongs to mara palacio and not false. They confirmed that the till number was not false. But this is confusing! Where can we report to and how can we stop them?
I also got the same messages and calls from them I also did send the requested amount. When I enquired from someone in Maasai Mara I got the shocking news irs a fraud. I hope the government would do something on this.
Kuna ingine wanaiyita Mara savvona resort,waliadvertise this month June 2022 is it true,tuchanueni if it is scum,just wanatumia watu appointment letter wenye waliapply
Am looking for a job,and I would like to work with you, I done with my college this year
I also got the same messages and also paid the required amount but I still can’t believe I have been scammed , my goodness
They changed the name and started another one called ‘Mara Ritz Palazzo’.
https://ritzresort.co.ke/jobs/
Facebook: Mara Ritz Palazzo
Same modus operandi.
Please beware.
The claim that Mara Palacio Resort is hiring is a scam
Hello,guys i applied for a job advert from facebook inaitwa mara grande vill and spa when i searched for the villa it’s not anywhere na they are sending the exact same messages you guys are talking about difference ni sijaitishwa pesa bado.Please dont fall for those leeches who are feeding on innocent people.Stay safe guys
Currently they have changed the name to Mara Terenzo camp still sending the exact appointment letter and everything is just the same it’s a big scam