Thousands of young Rwandans searching for educational opportunities abroad were left disappointed this week after a highly publicized event promoting study opportunities in Canada turned into a police investigation.
On May 13, 2026, the Rwanda National Police (RNP), working together with the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), announced the arrest of six individuals suspected of misleading young people with promises of helping them secure admission and travel opportunities to study in Canada.
In a public statement, the police said: “The suspects are currently being questioned as investigations continue to establish the truth behind these activities.”
The controversy erupted after large crowds gathered at a hotel in Kigali following widespread social media advertisements about education opportunities in Canada. Many attendees expected to meet representatives from Canadian institutions or agencies connected to international education programs.
Instead, several participants reportedly discovered that no officials or representatives from Canada were present at the venue.
Witnesses said more than 1,000 people had gathered in different sections of the hotel, many carrying academic documents, visa application papers, and personal files in the hope of securing a future abroad.
Rwanda National Police spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga said investigators are trying to determine whether the organizers were legally authorized to operate such programs.
Speaking to IGIHE, he stated: “We have to determine whether they are recognized by the Ministry of Education, whether the Canadian Embassy in Rwanda knows them, whether the universities and schools they claim to represent actually recognize them, and whether they possess the required authorization to represent those institutions in Rwanda.”
He added that legitimate educational consultancy activities follow recognized legal procedures, including official accreditation, traceable offices, and valid operating documents.
“Kugeza ubu ntabwo wahamya ko ari abatekamutwe, ibiri buve mu iperereza [ni byo bizagaragaza ukuri],” he said, emphasizing that investigations would determine the full facts of the case.
The incident has revived memories of previous scams targeting ambitious young Rwandans seeking opportunities abroad or professional advancement.
In 2019, thousands of young people gathered at Kigali Convention Centre for an event called the “wealth and fitness summit.” Participants had paid registration fees after being promised training opportunities and financial rewards for attending.
At the time, reports indicated that attendees paid 4,500 Rwandan francs through Mobile Money, online platforms, or at the venue itself.
Participants later claimed they had been promised educational benefits and even payments of 197 US dollars for participation, only to realize they had been deceived.
Following that incident, former Deputy Inspector General of Police CG Felix Namuhoranye stated that the organizers had used unauthorized channels and that authorities would pursue them while working to recover the victims’ money.
Authorities say such fraudulent schemes continue to exploit the hopes of young people desperate for better education, employment, and migration opportunities abroad.
Analysts warn that scammers increasingly use social media platforms to advertise fake scholarships, work visas, and study programs, often demanding upfront payments before providing any verifiable documentation.
Security agencies are now urging the public to carefully verify organizations offering overseas opportunities by consulting the Ministry of Education, embassies, immigration authorities, and other relevant institutions before making payments or submitting personal documents.
As investigations continue, many Rwandans are waiting to learn whether the suspects were operating a deliberate fraud scheme or whether some of their claims may have had legal backing yet to be verified by investigators.
