27-year-old man defrauds businesswoman of Ksh.5 million in fake trade deal

A 27-year-old man was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on Thursday for allegedly defrauding a businesswoman of over Ksh.5.9 million in a fraudulent trade scheme.

Samuel Karuga Wachiuri is accused of posing as a legitimate foodstuffs supplier and convincing the woman that he could deliver 6,000 bags of 25kg rice and 250 bags of 50kg sugar. Trusting the deal was genuine, the woman transferred Ksh.5,912,600 to Karuga’s bank account.

However, after receiving the funds, Karuga allegedly switched off his phone and vanished, prompting an investigation. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) say the suspect attempted to flee the country but was intercepted at the Isebania border as he tried to cross into Tanzania.

“Upon receiving the funds and having completed his deceitful scheme, Karuga switched off his phone and disappeared without a trace. Investigations were initiated, and through forensic leads, detectives zeroed in on Karuga, ultimately apprehending him at the Isebania border,” DCI officers from Nairobi Regional Headquarters stated.

Karuga appeared before Principal Magistrate Caroline Nyaguthii, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was released on a Ksh.200,000 bond.

The case is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on June 19, 2025.