USD 439 TRILLION MEGA FRAUD SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN NAIROBI ON WEDNESDAY.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Wednesday, 15th November 2023 arrested eight prime suspects linked to the USD 439 Trillion mega fraud targeting two foreign businessmen in the Netherlands in Nairobi.
Kenyans have had a rather shocking reaction to the funds recovered. “Admin is arithmetically correct because even the United States GDP is USD 29 trillion” one of X users remarked.
“The stated figure is what we received from the Dutch. We are also shocked.” DCI replied to a skeptical citizen on their official X handle on Wednesday.
The two foreign businessmen had allegedly entered into a cash-on-transit deal involving USD 439 trillion headed to Dubai from the central bank of Togo.
The 8 suspects had however concocted a careful plan and were ready to swindle this cash. The businessmen were contacted by ‘Canopy Shield Agencies’ who informed them that their consignment of 40 pallets was being held at the Kenya customs warehouse pending a duty fee payment of USD 36,000 through a WhatsApp call.
The caller then convinced the complainants that the first batch contained USD 4 billion and that it was being flown through Kenya to facilitate smooth entry to Dubai. This should have been the first red flag.
According to customs, the whole flight to Dubai should have been planned prior, and the businessmen should have been given the schedule.
The complainants, therefore, booked a flight to Kenya. They landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with hopes of paying the required duty fees as soon as possible.
To the surprise of the suspects, the DCI had already got word that there was something fishy going on and therefore detectives led the businessmen to a warehouse where the consignments were to be held.
As the suspects were in the warehouse convincing the complainants to part with the USD 36,000, the operations team stormed in and nabbed the suspects.
Some of the things recovered in the ongoing operation at the warehouse were boxes stashed with fake US dollars, military boots and customs reflector jackets among others.
“Several boxes stashed with fake US dollars suspected stolen jungle and fatigues for APS officers, military boots, and customs reflector jackets among other recoveries have also been seized.” DCI wrote.
Moses Otieno, Peter Aura, Brian Waweru, John Kalombo, Peter Kisanya, Noah Ouma, Charity Njeri and Mercy Cheptoo are the names of the suspects who are linked to this fraudulent activity that has shocked Kenyans.
“The operation is ongoing with the two foreign nationals being interviewed to shed light on the business deal in question.” Says DCI.
