ROME – He claimed to be a Kenyan diplomat in charge of hiring staff for the FAO, but in reality he was a conman with a long track record of similar tricks in Italy.

 The 47 year old Kenyan man earned the trust of a fellow countrywoman and told her he would be able to find work for her inside the FAO - he could even find a job for her friend too. The two women were taken in by his convincing manner and stylish clothes. However, when he asked them for 800 euros each in order to pay for insurance the women became suspicious.

 Searching the internet, they discovered that the man was a professional conman. He was so prolific that his former victims had dedicated a Facebook group to his unsavory deeds in which they had published his mobile number.

 Certain they were victims of a fraud, the women informed the police and a trap was set. The next day the women went to a meeting with the conman in Viale Aventino, at which they were supposed to hand over their insurance money and sign their contracts. The women went to the meeting carrying fake money and wearing a microphone. Officers from Celio police station followed behind them unseen.

 Sensing something was not right the trickster escaped, running in the direction of Ostiense station. The police caught up with the man and found him in possession of two completely fake passes for the FAO bearing the names of the two women. The man will now face charges of attempted fraud.