A 38-year-old woman has been arrested in Nairobi for allegedly orchestrating an elaborate scam that defrauded a Chinese national of KSh 13.2 million. The suspect, identified as Harriet Mary Wabwire, was taken into custody by detectives in Kamukunji following a series of investigations that unearthed her role in the sophisticated fraud scheme.
Wabwire is accused of posing as the Director of a fictitious company named OTD Group Limited. She reportedly lured her victim an unsuspecting Chinese investor by claiming she could supply a large consignment of aluminium alloys. To win the trust of her target, Wabwire allegedly presented a forged bill of lading alongside a counterfeit certificate of conformity purportedly issued by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
These documents falsely indicated that a shipment of 23,890 kilograms of aluminium alloys had been packed in a 40-foot container and was ready for dispatch from the Port of Mombasa to Ningbo, China. Believing the transaction was legitimate and well-documented, the complainant transferred USD 101,000 (approximately KSh 13.2 million) into a bank account under Wabwire’s control.
Soon after receiving the funds, Wabwire allegedly disappeared without a trace. She reportedly switched off her phone and severed all communication with the investor. The matter was subsequently reported to the police, prompting a criminal investigation.
Detectives employed forensic leads and digital intelligence to track down Wabwire, eventually locating her in Tassia, a residential area in Nairobi. She was arrested and taken into custody, where she is currently undergoing processing. Authorities have confirmed that she will be arraigned in court to face charges related to fraud, forgery, and obtaining money by false pretenses.
The case underscores the increasing sophistication of financial scams targeting both local and international investors in Kenya. It also highlights the need for heightened vigilance among business operators engaging in cross-border transactions. Law enforcement agencies have reiterated their commitment to pursuing economic crimes and ensuring justice is served for victims of such fraudulent activities.
Meanwhile, the public has been urged to conduct thorough due diligence before entering into large financial dealings, especially with unfamiliar entities or individuals claiming to represent legitimate companies. Investigators continue to probe whether Wabwire acted alone or was part of a broader criminal syndicate, as efforts to recover the stolen funds and bring any accomplices to book are ongoing.
