'Big Papa': Wanted man accused of defrauding top Nairobi hotel, supermarket and TV news anchor

Police in Mombasa are hunting down a South Sudanese national believed to be the mastermind behind a series of fraud cases spanning three countries namely; Australia, Uganda and Kenya.

According to the  Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspect goes by names such as Don Solomon alias Mukisa Okello, Tony Taban Suleiman Malish alias Yee and Big Papa.

His modus operandi consists of, among other things, issuing out bogus cheques to his would-be targets for products and services acquired from them.

"The self-styled millionaire is wanted for depositing a bad cheque of Ksh.599,950 in favour of Naivas Limited and fraudulently obtaining ten, 55-inch television sets from Naivas Mwembe Tayari branch, on March 8, 2023," the DCI said in a statement.

"Around the same time, the fugitive also fraudulently obtained assorted steel rods from Bayfair Hardware at Bombolulu in Mombasa valued at Ksh.842,000, by depositing a bad cheque of similar amount at the hardware’s bank account.

According to the DCI, the repeat offender also has a knack for booking accommodations at high-end hotels only to skip out the door without paying.

"The suspect has previously been arraigned at the Milimani law courts for forgery and being in the country illegally and has also been accused of obtaining services from top 5-star hotels in the city and sneaking out without paying," said the DCI.

"In one such establishment along Chiromo Road, the man on the run failed to pay a bill of Ksh.1.045 Million after spending days at the luxury facility."

The DCI added that in one incident while operating in Uganda, Big Papa allegedly gifted a Ugandan TV host a lavish vehicle which was later discovered to have been stolen from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"The suspect is also accused of fraud and related offences at various banks in Melbourne Capital, Victoria State in Australia," said the DCI.

'Big Papa' is reported to have last been seen in Roysambu's Mirema Drive area according to the sleuths agency.

"The vagabond is believed to be dwelling in the area and has since evaded a police dragnet twice," said the DCI.

Persons with information that may lead to his arrest have been urged to report to relevant authorities.