Editor's Review

The suspect got onto the police hook after several Kenyans hurled complaints about his online fraud dealings.

Police have arrested a perennial online scammer who has been conning clients through a non-existing online gas cylinder shop.

In a statement by the DCI on Tuesday, Justin Mwirigi Murungi got onto the police hook after several Kenyans hurled complaints about his online fraud dealings.

DCI detailed the case of a victim, Robert Isiche Mzee, a resident of Langata in Nairobi, who was conned by the serial fraudster.

The directorate revealed how Mzee, who was setting up a gas vending business, landed on Murungi’s Facebook page.

“The page which goes by the name Heritage Gas Wholesalers had information detailing the business as dealing with gas cylinders, with several brands of cooking gas displayed. The page also had a contact number and the contact person's name given as Kelvin Mwangi,” DCI stated.


Mzee made an inquiry into the gas cylinders before placing an order of 60 gas cylinders at a total cost of 354,000 shillings.

“Mzee transferred 100,000 shillings via M-pesa mobile money transfer to the con’s number. He was to be paid the rest of the money upon delivery of the cylinders,” DCI stated.

Upon making calls to have his commodities supplied, the suspect started making excuses and finally failed to pick up his calls. It was then that Mzee realized he had been conned before filing a report at Langata Police Station.

The suspect on Monday appeared before court where he was facing multiple charges, among them conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretense.

DCI urged other Kenyans who have been conned by the suspect to visit DCI Langata and file their complaints.