A suspect implicated for sending a container full of sand to a Chinese national after receiving Ksh151 million for Tantalum minerals has been arrested by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
In a statement, DCI indicated that the suspect was cornered after touch down from Entebbe, Uganda at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport along Harambee Avenue.
Further, DCI stated that the suspect, used a Ugandan passport to evade the security checks at the airport because a stop order had been placed on his passport. He was also found in possession of a Congolese passport.
“Ulundu Patrick Lumumba was cornered along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi, minutes after evading detection by Immigration officials at JKIA where a Stop Order had been placed on his passport.
“Determined to sneak back into the country and further his felonious activities, the suspect used a Ugandan Interstate pass card in the names of Lumumba Patrick Byarufu, and upon arrest was also found in possession of yet another Congolese Passport in the names of Patrick Ulundu Lumumba.
Also Read: Chinese Conned Ksh 151M by Kenyans; Receives Container of Soil
New Information on How the Suspect Conned Chinese Woman
According to the sleuths, the Chinese woman made payment for containers of tantalum minerals before receiving shipment sent through the port of the Mombasa.
However, when she opened one of the containers in China, she discovered that it was filled with drums of sand. The detectives began their investigations and intercepted additional three containers that were scheduled to be sent to the Chinese.
“Surprisingly, the 40ft container had passed the entire verification processes without any documentation. This totaled to six, the number of containers of sand declared as tantalum minerals.
“Detectives have since discovered that already two more containers had been cleared and shipped to Dubai, and efforts are underway to have them intercepted,” added DCI.
The suspects, according to the statement, had recently opened another account with a local bank to continue their scams.
Also Read: 2 DCI Officers Jailed for Scamming Chinese National
DCI Investigates Port Officials
According to the directorate, hat the scam could be linked to fake gold scammers who used to operate in the Kilimani area.
The cons were being executed in conjunction with officers from the Kenya Ports Authority and the Kenya Revenue Authority.
“Some port officials believed to have compromised security checks to facilitate the illegal transactions are also being investigated,” explained DCI.
Additionally, DCI indicated that the bank accounts of the suspected gang was frozen, therefore they were not able to use much of the money they received from the Chinese.
“However, the syndicate had already obtained over Sh49 million along the way by working with suspected rogue bank officials who are under active investigations.
Even as investigations regarding the fake consignment continue, a court battle between OSU detectives and influential members of the scamming ring is underway, as they fight to have the intercepted millions wired to accounts recently opened with a local bank.
