Fake ATPU Officer Nabbed After Defrauding Ethiopian Refugee of Sh3 Million in Citizenship Scam

 

Detectives from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) have arrested a man who allegedly posed as one of their own and swindled an Ethiopian refugee in Nairobi out of over KSh 3 million under the pretext of helping him acquire Kenyan citizenship.

The suspect, identified as Rev. Richard Macharia Njuguna, a clergyman affiliated with the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) in Juja Farm under the Thika South Diocese in Kiambu County, was apprehended at the Overstone Hotel in the Ruiru area along the Eastern Bypass.

His arrest followed a complaint filed at Capitol Hill Police Station in Nairobi, which was later transferred to ATPU for further investigation due to the suspect’s impersonation of a high-level security officer.

Citizenship Con Gone Wrong

Investigations have revealed that between December 20, 2024, and February 12, 2025, Rev. Njuguna falsely presented himself as an ATPU officer attached to the Directorate of Immigration Services. He reportedly convinced the refugee that he had the authority and connections to facilitate the process of acquiring Kenyan citizenship.

Through this elaborate ruse, the suspect fraudulently obtained KSh 3,030,500 from the victim over the two-month period.

Fake Stamps and Forged Documents Recovered

Following his arrest, ATPU officers conducted a search at the suspect’s residence in Kahawa West and also examined his vehicle. During the search, authorities recovered several items believed to have been used in the commission of the fraud. These included:

• Forged documents and identification materials

• Wooden stamps purporting to be from various government institutions, including:

  • The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Nairobi

  • The Kenya Immigration Office at JKIA

  • The Immigration Control Office in Busia

  • The Embassy of Kenya in Somalia

  • The Ministry of Lands Head Office

The recovered materials are currently being held as exhibits in the ongoing investigation.

Suspect in Custody, Facing Prosecution

Rev. Richard Njuguna is currently in police custody as he undergoes processing and formal charges. Authorities say he will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded.

His vehicle, along with the forged stamps and documents, remains in police possession pending forensic analysis and presentation in court.

Warning to the Public

Security agencies have since urged members of the public, especially refugees and migrants seeking legal documentation, to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to fraudsters posing as government officers.

“If you are seeking any government service, please go through the correct legal channels and report any suspicious individuals or demands to the nearest police station,” said a senior ATPU officer familiar with the case.

June 12, 2025