The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has moved to court seeking to detain seven suspected conmen posing as President Uhuru Kenyatta for 10 days to complete investigations.
Principal Magistrate Peter Ooko heard that the suspects are being investigated for a crime involving fraudulent misrepresentation that involves millions of shillings and senior state house officials.
The seven are Joseph Waswa, Duncan Muchai, Isaac Wajekeche, William Simiyu, David Luganya, Gilbert Kirunja and Anthony Wafula.
The suspects risk facing forgery, conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretense charges.
10 million fraud
It is alleged that the complainant, Akif Hamid Butt, the Finance Director of Sammer Africa lost Sh 10 million to fraudsters who pretended to sell a parcel of Land situated in Milimani area, Nairobi County.
The court heard that the suspects called the Chairman Nashud Merali of Sammer Africa to facilitate the release of the money while mimicking the voice of the president calling from State House, Nairobi.
Since Merali was outside the country on business trip when he received the call from the respondents, he gave a go ahead to the Finance Director to process payment believing he spoke to the head of state.
He realised it fraud after he had already wired the 10 million to the suspects account.
According to DCI, there is a likelihood of the suspects continuing with their criminal activities if released and may also interfere with potential witnesses and documentary evidence yet to be obtained.
That the nature of investigations in this case is complex since it requires communication data from several service providers which ordinary requires time,” reads the affidavit by the investigating officer.
The court further heard that the investigations require time to establish the details of the bank account which was used to defraud the money and the signatories.
Four motor vehicles were seized during the arrests among them a Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Mark X , Toyota Axio and Toyota Crown. The same requires the investigators to establish whether they are connected to the fraud.
