By Joram Munale
A woman has been arrested in connection with a high-stakes fraud case involving a Chinese national and a bogus aluminium trade deal worth KSh 13 million.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspect, Harriet Mary Wabwire, allegedly posed as a legitimate supplier of aluminium alloys and lured the foreign investor into wiring millions of shillings to her account under false pretenses.
In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), the DCI said Wabwire presented forged shipping documents — including a falsified bill of lading and a counterfeit Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) certificate of conformity — to convince the victim that a consignment of 23,890 kilograms of aluminium alloys had been packaged and loaded into a 40-foot container at the Port of Mombasa, ready for export.
“These documents falsely asserted that the consignment… had been securely packed and was ready for shipment from the port of Mombasa,” the DCI stated.
However, shortly after receiving the funds, Wabwire reportedly switched off her phone and went off the radar, prompting the victim to file a report with authorities.
An immediate investigation was launched, and detectives were able to track down and arrest the suspect. She remains in police custody as investigations continue.
The DCI has reiterated its warning to both local and international investors to exercise caution and verify trade documents and contacts through appropriate government agencies before entering into deals.
Wabwire is expected to face charges related to obtaining money by false pretenses, uttering false documents, and conspiracy to defraud.
Authorities say they are also probing whether the suspect is linked to a broader fraud network targeting foreign investors.
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