NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 16 – The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested eight suspects implicated in the 439 trillion dollar mega scam targeting two foreign businessmen from the Netherlands.
Noah Ouma, Charity Njeri, and Mercy Cheptoo were arrested on Wednesday during an operation at a warehouse located in Nairobi, and are now being held in police custody while investigations continue.
“Several boxes stashed with fake US dollars, suspected stolen jungle fatigues for APS officers, military boots, customs reflector jackets among other recoveries have also being seized,” the investigative agency stated.
The DCI added that the foreigners were contacted via WhatsApp by a caller from a number registered in the name ‘Canopy Shield Agencies’, who instructed them that their shipment of 40 pallets had been held at the Kenya Customs Warehouse pending duty fee payment of USD 36,000.
“Allegedly, the complainants had entered into a cash on transit deal involving USD 439 trillion destined for Dubai from the Central Bank of Togo,” the DCI said
They stated that the caller impersonating a customs officer persuaded the complainants that the first batch of 40 pallets contained USD 4 billion and were being flown through Kenya to facilitate their clearance and smooth entry to Dubai.
After booking a flight to the country, the foreign people arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) with the hope of paying the needed duty tax all at once.
“Unbeknownst to the fraudsters that detectives had got wind of the ongoings, a contact person led the two foreigners at the warehouse where the purported consignment was being held,” the agency said
“As the eight suspects got busy around the warehouse convincing their targets to part with the USD 36,000, the operations team stormed the premises.”
The DCI explained that they were all cornered and led away into police cells, and that an investigation is currently underway, with the two foreign individuals being interrogated to shed light on the suspicious business deal.
