A man linked to a fraudulent sugar importation scheme that saw four business persons lose Ksh100 million was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on Tuesday, April 8.
In a statement on Wednesday, April 9, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said Abdirizak Kassim Bare is accused of being the mastermind behind a criminal syndicate that conned the victims under the pretense of importing 15,000 bags of sugar from Brazil.
The DCI revealed that between May and October 2023, the victims were lured into what they believed was a legitimate business deal to import sugar.
"The 46-year-old was arrested and subsequently arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts, following the completion of a meticulous investigation by the DCI on the ring of fraudsters who swindled the funds meant for the importation of 15,000 bags of the said food commodity.
"The investigation established how between May and October 2023, the unsuspecting victims were lured into a business deal to import the sugar, thereby making payments totalling to over a hundred million shillings through five different bank accounts,” the statement read.
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However, according to the DCI, once the payments were made, the victims found themselves in a wild goose chase with Bare.
"What followed were months of a wild goose chase, with the victims trying to reach out to a serious fraud ring that had since vanished without a trace,” the statement continued.
Unable to recover their money, the victims turned to the authorities after which the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions recommended charges against Bare and his accomplices after investigations.
"Broke and desperate to recover their monies, the victims reported the matter to the DCI, where the Operation Support Unit commenced a methodical probe of the case, findings that were forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution for further legal action
“The ODPP made a decision that the named suspects be arrested and charged, preferring 8 counts including Obtaining money by false pretences, an offence that contravenes section 313 of the penal code. Consequently, the officers obtained warrants of arrest against the suspects,” the statement added.
Bare, who was the first suspect to be apprehended, pleaded not guilty and was released on Ksh3 million bond with the option of a cash bail of Ksh500,000.
The DCI confirmed that efforts to arrest the remaining suspects are ongoing.
"Early today, the officers netted their first target, Kassim Bare, who on arraignment pleaded not guilty and was released on Sh 3 million bond with the option of a cash bail of Sh 500,000. Pursuit of the remaining suspects is underway," the statement concluded.
