The Uganda’s State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), working with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), has arrested seven people for allegedly defrauding a former Nigerian lawmaker and businessman of $70,000 in a bogus gold transaction.
At a press briefing held at the Unit’s offices in the Parliamentary Building, Senior Officer Bamwiine Muhorozi said the suspects lured the victim, identified as Mark Gbillah, into believing they could supply him with seven kilograms of gold through two companies, Legacy Refinery Limited and Emerod Agency Limited.
“Investigations revealed that the firms had no gold to sell,” Bamwiine stated.
Those arrested include Paluku Kisasi (Congolese), Safari Akonkwa (Congolese), Isaac Mpende (Congolese), Abdul Madjid Kahirima (Ugandan), Mabwongo Prince (Congolese), Kajjubi Tevin Kyome (Ugandan), and Tibasiima Barbra, also known as Katushabe Sharon (Ugandan).
The suspects allegedly posed as gold sellers, clearing agents, company representatives, and a secretary to execute the scam.
According to Bamwiine, the arrest was made possible after Gbillah swiftly reported the matter to the Unit.
“Working together, we set up a controlled meeting with the fraudsters, leading to their arrest before they could extort additional funds,” he said.
A search of the suspects’ rented premises in Muyenga, Kampala, uncovered about 150 kilograms of fake gold bars and imitation gold nuggets, allegedly used to deceive multiple potential victims.
Bamwiine said that while the Unit had intercepted similar scams in the past, this case was significant because the suspects were caught in the act.
“Verify with the relevant authorities and continue reporting suspicious activities to safeguard yourselves from scams,” he advised, urging both the public and investors to carry out thorough due diligence before engaging in business transactions.
The suspects are expected to be charged in court in the coming days.
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