The County Government of Kisumu has unearthed a syndicate behind the issuance of fake business permits and licences, resulting in a loss of over Sh.100 million in County revenue.
The racket, which is believed to involve some County Revenue Officers, working in collusion with fraudsters, has led to the circulation of counterfeit permits to unsuspecting traders within the city.
According to preliminary investigations, the syndicate has been operating in the shadows of legitimate county operations, issuing forged documents that closely resemble authentic business licences.
Some of the documents are designed and printed in cyber cafes, targeting businesses within the Sub-counties and far-flung corners of the Lakeside County.