A couple in Nairobi running a fake car auction business reportedly conned a Chief Inspector of police Ksh660,000 in a botched deal.
The Chief inspector was allegedly referred to the couple by his colleague, who assured him that the dealers were well-connected in the government auction business.
Appearing before the Makadara Law Courts on Thursday, October 6, the prosecution submitted evidence on how the suspect and her husband duped the officer, promising to secure him a Toyota Hiace at less than half the market costs.
Consequently, the cop travelled to Nairobi to meet the brokers and was asked to deposit a downpayment of Ksh270,000 to kickstart the process.
The husband reportedly directed the Ksh270,000 to be deposited in his wife's bank account. After a while, the police boss was asked to remit the balance, with the swindler claiming that the deal was successful.
Encouraged by the sweet deal, the cop made several transactions via mobile money transfer totalling Ksh390,000 and awaited for the 14-seater vehicle to be delivered. However, the sellers reportedly went missing and switched off their phones.
After unsuccessfully attempting to reach the would-be sellers, the officer filed a formal complaint at the Embakasi Police Station. His colleagues immediately began a manhunt for the suspects after they caught wind of their con game.
The woman was arrested while her husband was said to be on the run. She was charged with conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and intent to defraud before being arraigned in court.
In court, the prosecution also revealed that the fugitive husband had been charged at the Kibera Law Courts with swindling two businessmen of Ksh 1,9 million in 2021, under the pretext that he would assist them to buy state-auctioned cars.
His wife, however, denied all charges levelled against her and pleaded not guilty.
The separate crimes come in the wake of several government organizations putting up cars on auction.
However, Kenyans were warned of syndicates seizing such opportunities to swindle unsuspecting buyers.
