Denis Mwangi
Three individuals have been charged at the Milimani Law Courts for their alleged involvement in a sophisticated fraud scheme that swindled a Pakistani national out of over Sh116 million. The suspects—Abdul Razak Rehan, Mohammed Amin Suleiman, and Ebrahim Ahmed Ebrahim—are accused of orchestrating a fraudulent operation disguised as lucrative business opportunities in Kenya.
According to a statement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the trio created a false narrative involving a scrap metal and car battery business to entice the unsuspecting victim to Kenya.
Ebrahim Ahmed Ebrahim, a key figure in the scam, allegedly persuaded the victim to establish a company, demanding Sh7 million for registration fees. The victim complied, transferring the funds to Mohammed Amin Suleiman and Abdul Razak Rehan, who pretended to be officials in the company registration process and the Deputy President’s office, respectively.
Upon arrival in Kenya, the victim was subjected to further fraudulent demands. The scammers extracted additional payments for various supposed necessities, including warehouse rent, scrap metal and battery purchases, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) customs duties, and special permits. In total, these fraudulent transactions amounted to a staggering Sh116 million.
A thorough investigation revealed that all permits and documents provided to the victim were forged and not issued by any legitimate government authority. Investigators tracked financial transactions and scrutinized issued documents, leading to the identification of the perpetrators. After a detailed manhunt, involving geo-location tracking and analysis of their movements, the suspects were apprehended.
The three individuals were brought before the Milimani Law Courts, where they faced charges related to large-scale fraud. During their arraignment, Abdul Razak Rehan, Mohammed Amin Suleiman, and Ebrahim Ahmed Ebrahim pleaded not guilty to the charges.
They were granted bail with a bond of Sh5 million and one surety each. The case is scheduled for mention on September 9, 2024, where further legal proceedings will continue.