Container of sand disguised as tantalum minerals seized in Mombasa after Chinese businessman paid Ksh.150M

After two months of investigations and trailing of one of the three containers that went missing declared as tantalum minerals from Congo, the container was intercepted by a multi-agency team probing how a Chinese national was conned Ksh.150 million.

According to the detectives, fake gold scammers who used to operate in Nairobi and use Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as the exit point have changed tactic and are using the Port of Mombasa colluding with a cartels in Congo, Uganda and Kenya.

A group stationed in Congo where tantalum minerals are found makes a call and notifies the victim that a deal has been sealed and the said minerals have left Congo heading to the neighbouring country of Uganda, where their connection - the second group - picks up the communication with the victim, assuring him that they are waiting for the consignment.

After some time, they revert back to the owner of the goods and notify the businessman that all is well and the ball shifts to the Kenya-Uganda border where another group is located before the team in Mombasa makes that final call and even shares a video that the ship has left the Port of Mombasa for China.

According to the Chinese businessman, he was shocked after one of the three containers landed in China and as he opened it, he discovered it was loaded with drums full of sand.

After obtaining a court order in Mombasa and a long struggle, the containers were opened; inside were 70 reconditioned metallic drums which were loaded with sand as tantalum minerals.

Detectives believe the container went missing at the Mombasa Container Terminal (MCT) and was just about to be shipped to China where the Chinese national had deposited Ksh.150 million for the purchase of the said minerals.

The multi-agency team also believes that the fake gold scammers in Congo, Uganda and Kenya collude with KPA and KRA officials.