A 27-year-old man was on Thursday arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts, accused of defrauding a businesswoman of over Ksh.5.9 million in a fraudulent trade arrangement.
Samuel Karuga Wachiuri is alleged to have posed as a genuine supplier of foodstuffs, convincing the woman that he could deliver 6,000 bags of 25kg rice and 250 bags of 50kg sugar.
Believing the deal to be legitimate, the victim transferred Ksh.5,912,600 to Karuga’s bank account.
Shortly after receiving the money, Karuga allegedly switched off his phone and disappeared.
This prompted the woman to report the matter, triggering an investigation by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
According to the DCI, Karuga attempted to flee the country but was intercepted at the Isebania border while trying to cross into Tanzania.
“Upon receiving the funds and having completed his deceitful scheme, Karuga switched off his phone and disappeared without a trace. Investigations were initiated, and through forensic leads, detectives zeroed in on Karuga, ultimately apprehending him at the Isebania border,” the DCI said.
Karuga appeared before Principal Magistrate Caroline Nyaguthii and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was released on a Ksh.200,000 bond.
The case is set for a pre-trial hearing on June 19.
