Three individuals appeared in court on Wednesday, facing serious charges after allegedly defrauding a Pakistani national out of Ksh116 million in a well-coordinated scheme.
The suspects, were granted bail of Ksh5 million each at the Milimani Law Courts, where they pleaded not guilty to the fraud charges.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detailed how the three orchestrated a complex scam, luring the victim into Kenya under the guise of a lucrative business deal involving scrap metal and batteries. The victim, enticed by the promise of high returns, was persuaded to invest heavily in the venture.
One of the suspects, posing as a business consultant, convinced the investor to register a company, demanding an initial payment of Ksh7 million.
This sum was handed over to two of the alleged con artists, who impersonated an accountant at the registrar of companies and a personal assistant to the Deputy President, respectively.
What began as a seemingly legitimate business transaction quickly spiralled into a nightmare for the investor.
He was subjected to a series of additional payments, supposedly for warehouse rent, customs duties, and special permits, all of which were fabricated by the fraudsters. The total loss amounted to a staggering Ksh116 million.
“To add insult to injury, the victim was duped into making several additional payments in the name of warehouse rent, scrap metal, and battery purchases, KRA customs duties, and special permits, all amounting to a staggering Ksh116 million,” stated DCI on a statement on X social media.
The DCI's investigation, which involved tracing financial transactions and scrutinising the legitimacy of the issued documents, revealed the depth of the deception. Every permit and document provided to the victim was a forgery, with no connection to any government authority.
The breakthrough in the case came after a painstaking manhunt by the DCI, which utilised geo-location tracking to pinpoint the suspects' movements. The three were eventually apprehended and taken into custody, marking the culmination of the investigation.
At their court appearance, the accused maintained their innocence, despite the mounting evidence against them.
They were released on bond, with the case set to continue on September 9, 2024.
The DCI has reiterated its commitment to pursuing justice in such cases and has urged anyone else who may have been defrauded by the trio to come forward. This case serves as a stark reminder of the sophisticated methods employed by fraudsters, often targeting unsuspecting foreign investors in Kenya.
