The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has successfully unraveled a cross-border con syndicate that defrauded an Indian businessman of Ksh267 million through a meticulously executed scam.
According to a statement issued on a Saturday, the Indian businessman had provided caustic soda, a key ingredient in detergent manufacturing, to five Ugandan companies via the Mombasa port. However, once the consignment arrived in Kenya, the contacts for these companies disappeared, prompting the Indian businessman to travel to Kenya to investigate.
The DCI's account reveals that these companies had placed orders for supplies between December 12 of the previous year and April 22 of the current year. The goods were subsequently delivered to the Port of Mombasa on various dates spanning from January 31 to May 15.
Upon receiving the tycoon's report, the DCI collaborated with their counterparts in Uganda to track down the individuals responsible for the fraudulent activities. Given the international nature of the crime, the DCI also enlisted the assistance of Interpol, leading to a successful sting operation conducted in Uganda on Friday, October 6.
In a statement, the DCI declared, "Detectives have achieved a significant breakthrough in the investigation of an international fraud case, wherein Indian businessmen suffered losses exceeding Ksh267 million due to suspected fraudsters operating from Uganda, aided by local accomplices."
The statement further disclosed that the investigative team managed to recover 7,420 bags of caustic soda, equivalent to seven containers, from a logistics company situated in Kampala's Bweyogere Industrial Area on October 6, 2023. The DCI also noted that efforts were ongoing to trace the remaining portions of the consignment believed to have been distributed throughout Uganda.
A manhunt has been initiated to apprehend the primary suspects involved in the case, with the DCI expressing confidence in their swift capture.
Members of the public with information regarding this scheme are encouraged to contact the DCI at 0800 722 203.