A 27-year-old man has been charged at the Milimani Law Courts for allegedly defrauding a businesswoman of over Ksh.5.9 million in a fake food supply deal. The suspect, identified as Samuel Karuga Wachiuri, is accused of impersonating a legitimate foodstuffs supplier and luring the victim into a fictitious business transaction.
According to court documents, Karuga convinced the businesswoman that he could supply 6,000 bags of 25kg rice and 250 bags of 50kg sugar. Believing the trade was genuine, the woman wired a total of Ksh.5,912,600 to Karuga’s bank account. However, once the funds were received, the accused reportedly switched off his phone and vanished, failing to deliver the promised goods.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) launched a manhunt after the victim reported the fraud. Through forensic analysis and intelligence gathering, investigators tracked Karuga’s movements and intercepted him at the Isebania border as he allegedly attempted to flee to neighbouring Tanzania.
“Upon receiving the funds and having completed his deceitful scheme, Karuga switched off his phone and disappeared without a trace,” said officers from the DCI Nairobi Regional Headquarters. “Investigations were initiated, and through forensic leads, detectives zeroed in on Karuga, ultimately apprehending him at the Isebania border.”
Karuga was presented before Principal Magistrate Caroline Nyaguthii, where he denied the charges. The court granted him release on a Ksh.200,000 bond pending further proceedings.
The case has been set for a pre-trial hearing on June 19, 2025.
This incident adds to the growing number of fraud cases targeting unsuspecting businesspeople in Kenya. Authorities have urged members of the public to exercise caution when engaging in large-scale commercial transactions and to verify the legitimacy of suppliers before making payments.
Meanwhile, the DCI has reiterated its commitment to pursuing fraud suspects and ensuring justice for victims of economic crimes.
