5 Arrested After Woman Loses Ksh742,000 in Fake Cement Deal

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested five suspects following investigations into an online fraud scheme in which a woman lost Ksh742,000 while attempting to purchase cement for a family construction.

In a statement on Thursday, November 5, the DCI revealed that the suspects were arrested after detectives uncovered a fraudulent website impersonating Bamburi Cement PLC and used to trick the woman into transferring money to accounts operated by the suspects.

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"Five suspects have been arrested in connection with an elaborate online fraud scheme in which a woman lost Ksh742,000 while attempting to purchase cement from a fraudulent website impersonating Bamburi Cement PLC," the statement read.

The incident dates back to August 2025, when the complainant was sourcing 1,400 bags of cement for a family construction project in Ruiru. 

She came across a website purporting to represent Bamburi Cement PLC and, believing it was the company's legitimate platform, contacted the telephone number displayed on the website.

She was subsequently directed to WhatsApp, where negotiations for the purchase were conducted before the parties agreed on the price and payment arrangements.

"The deal was sealed at Ksh530 per bag, with the complainant receiving an invoice demanding Ksh742,000. She was instructed to remit the full amount through RTGS to a local bank account purportedly held in the name of Bamburi Cement Limited," the statement added.

On August 23, 2025, the woman transferred the entire Ksh742,000 through RTGS, expecting the cement to be delivered to the construction site. However, the promised consignment never arrived.

Her attempts to reach the purported supplier proved unsuccessful, prompting her to contact Bamburi Cement PLC directly. 

She subsequently discovered that the company had no knowledge of the transaction and reported the matter to the police.

"Investigations established that the website, telephone number and invoice used in the transaction were fraudulent and had no authorisation or affiliation with Bamburi Cement PLC," the statement further read.

The DCI said further financial investigations traced the stolen funds through bank accounts linked to two of the suspects, providing detectives with leads to identify those allegedly involved in the scheme.

"Further financial investigations traced the stolen funds from a bank account operated by Florence Atieno Okoth to another account operated by Emmanuel Wekesa, alias Brian Mulumba," the statement noted.

According to the investigators, the money was subsequently withdrawn through ATM transactions in Kitengela Town, Kajiado County.

Following an intelligence-led operation conducted in Uasin Gishu and Nairobi counties, detectives arrested five suspects identified as Florence Atieno Okoth, Dickson Alalwa Mabati, Kevin Ongaya Were, Kelvin Kibet Keter and Emmanuel Wekesa, alias Brian Mulumba.

The five suspects were subsequently arraigned in court and charged in connection with the alleged fraud.

"The DCI cautions members of the public against falling prey to online shopping scams and urges prospective buyers to verify the authenticity of websites, sellers, payment details and business transactions before committing their money," the statement concluded.

This comes a day after the DCI appealed to members of the public to help security agencies track down and arrest a wanted suspect.

In a notice on Wednesday, November 4, the agency said the suspect, identified as John Masila Nzioka, is believed to have been involved in several robberies in which firearms were allegedly used.

"The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is appealing to members of the public for any information that may lead to the arrest of John Masila Nzioka, who is wanted in connection with multiple cases of robbery with violence," the notice read.

The DCI further disclosed that the suspect had previously engaged police officers in a shootout during which some officers sustained injuries before he managed to escape.

"The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. He is believed to have used a firearm during robberies committed within Nairobi Region and its environs. In a recent shootout, police officers were injured before the suspect escaped the police dragnet," the notice added.

According to the suspect's home particulars provided by the DCI, Nzioka is from Machakos County, specifically Kangundo Sub-County, Kanzalu Division, Kanzalu Location and Kikambuani Sub-Location.

The agency called on anyone who may have information that could help investigators locate the suspect to volunteer it through its established reporting channels, including anonymous platforms.

"The DCI urges anyone with information that could assist in his arrest to come forward and share it with the authorities. 

"Kindly #FichuaKwaDCI through the anonymous DCI toll-free hotline 0800 722 203 or WhatsApp number 0709 570 000. Information may also be reported at the nearest police station or through the National Police Emergency hotlines: 999, 911 or 112," the statement concluded.