A 38-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with a high-stakes scam that saw a Chinese national lose over Ksh13 million in a fraudulent aluminium alloy deal. The suspect, Harriet Mary Wabwire, was taken into custody by detectives from Kamukunji Police Station following a thorough investigation.
Wabwire is accused of orchestrating an elaborate scheme in which she allegedly posed as a director of a company by the name of OTD Group Limited. Under this guise, she convinced the foreign businessman that she could supply 23,890 kilograms of aluminium alloys. To win her victim’s trust, Wabwire is said to have presented falsified documents, including a bill of lading and a Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) certificate of conformity. These forged documents indicated that the consignment was securely packed in a 40-foot container and ready to be shipped from the Port of Mombasa to Ningbo, China.
The fraudulent transaction was valued at USD 101,000 (approximately Ksh13,049,200), which the victim wired into Wabwire’s account based on the false documentation. Once the funds were received, Wabwire reportedly switched off her phone and ceased all communication, prompting the victim to report the matter to authorities.
Following the complaint, investigators launched a manhunt for the suspect. Utilizing forensic leads and surveillance, detectives traced Wabwire to a hideout in Tassia, Embakasi East Subcounty in Nairobi. She was apprehended without incident and is currently in custody as investigations continue.
Authorities are working to determine whether Wabwire acted alone or was part of a larger fraud syndicate. The incident highlights the increasing sophistication of scams targeting unsuspecting investors and traders, both locally and internationally.
Law enforcement agencies have urged the public and business community to conduct due diligence before engaging in high-value transactions, especially those involving international trade and logistics. The case also underscores the importance of verifying documentation and company credentials through official channels.
Wabwire is expected to be arraigned in court to face charges related to fraud, forgery, and obtaining money by false pretenses. Investigators are also following leads that may result in further arrests or recovery of the defrauded funds.
As the case unfolds, it serves as a warning to potential fraudsters and a reminder of the consequences of engaging in criminal activities that exploit trust and manipulate legal processes.
