Court issues search warrants in alleged Ksh.500M scam against U.S. investor

The warrants were granted following an application by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Economic and Commercial Crimes Unit (ECCU).

Officers were authorised to enter and search several locations in Nairobi, including Flamingo Towers in Upper Hill, Silver Stone Building in Kilimani, Uhuru Highway Mall in Nairobi West, and the PWC Building in Westlands.

According to the court documents, investigators will seize documents, electronic storage devices, computers, mobile phones, servers, and any other materials relevant to the inquiry for forensic analysis.

The orders, issued on October 30, 2025, list several individuals, including lawyer Stephen Juma Ndeda, Michael Omondi Okongo, David Onyango Ochanda, Luke Onyango, Abdifatah Adan Kalicha, Abel Onyango Noah, Abdullahi Bare, Joseph Verde, Oloo Collins Juma, Kenedy Oyoo Mboya, Susan Kilonzo Wambua, Stephen Roy Onyango, Judith Akinyi Riaga, and Collins Juma Aloo, among others.

Companies under investigation include Toureg Insurance Agency, Albeirut Wael Enterprises, Urufle Trading Company Ltd, Fatimark Energy Ltd, and Affluent Wealth Managers.

In an affidavit presented to court, Cpl. Brian Musau of the ECCU stated that the investigation began after a complaint by American national Charles Blake Stringer, a director of Nutra-Acres LLC based in Texas.

Stringer alleged that in June 2024, he was introduced, through a U.S.-based broker, to a Kenyan firm, Affluent Wealth Management, which claimed it could arrange a Ksh.500 million loan for his agricultural projects in Africa.

After online negotiations and a subsequent trip to Nairobi, Stringer met several representatives of the company.

Investigators say Stringer was told he needed to obtain a life insurance policy through Toureg Insurance Agency to qualify for the loan.

He was allegedly introduced to a man who claimed to be the agency’s CEO and a representative of a Swedish insurer named “Continental Insurance.”

Stringer is said to have made multiple payments between June 2024 and January 2025 amounting to Ksh.98.7 million to accounts linked to the suspects and associated companies.

Bank statements filed in court show the funds were quickly withdrawn or transferred through RTGS to companies including Urufle Trading Company and Fatimark Energy Ltd, as well as through cash withdrawals by several of the named individuals.

He also allegedly paid Ksh.7.3 million to Ndeda & Company Advocates as legal fees and sent Ksh.647,500 to one of the suspects for the purported registration of a new entity, Nutra Acres Africa Ltd.

Despite months of engagement, the complainant says he never received the promised loan.

Cpl. Musau told the court that preliminary findings indicate crucial digital and physical evidence is held within the targeted premises.

Detectives believe the materials will help determine whether the suspects engaged in offences including organised criminal activity, obtaining money by false pretences, conspiracy to defraud, acquisition and use of proceeds of crime, computer fraud, and money laundering.

The alleged crimes fall under the Penal Code, the Prevention of Organized Crimes Act, the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.

Several of the suspects have already been charged at the Kahawa Law Courts as the investigation continues.