The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested two individuals suspected of defrauding a Kenyan of Ksh1.1 million in a fake vehicle importation deal.
In a statement released on Saturday, March 15, the DCI confirmed that the suspects were in police custody and facing charges related to fraud.
The detectives explained that the scam, which began three years ago, involved one of the fraudsters posing as a legitimate car dealer in Nairobi.
According to the DCI, the suspect gained the trust of the victim by pretending to be a knowledgeable salesperson working at a well-established vehicle dealership.
He convinced the unsuspecting buyer that he could import two vehicles—a Toyota Probox and a 14-seater Toyota Hiace Matatu—at a total cost of Ksh2.9 million.
Enticed by what seemed like a great deal, the victim made an initial deposit of Ksh1.1 million. However, after receiving the money, the so-called salesperson disappeared, cutting all communication and leaving the victim without the promised vehicles.
Following the incident, the DCI launched an extensive manhunt using forensic intelligence to track down the suspect.
Detectives traced him to an apartment, where they arrested him and confiscated multiple SIM cards believed to have been used in fraudulent activities.
Further investigations led detectives to the suspect’s accomplice in Makongeni, Thika. At his residence, they recovered a SIM card linked to a Ksh550,000 transaction from the victim, providing further evidence of the scam.
This arrest comes just days after the DCI apprehended two other fraudsters behind a separate high-profile scam involving Ksh22 million in an edible oil supply scheme.
In that case, the suspects tricked five businessmen by claiming they had secured a lucrative tender with the World Food Programme (WFP) to supply cooking oil to the Kakuma Refugee Camp.
The fraudsters lured investors by promising them significant profits from the fake business deal, only to disappear after receiving the money.
The DCI continues to warn Kenyans to be cautious when engaging in financial transactions and to verify the legitimacy of dealers before making any payments.
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