NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 15- Detectives in Nairobi are holding a man who is accused of duping unsuspecting members of the public in fake online trade and investment deals.
The man, identified by police as John Mathenge was arrested at Kibera law courts by officers from the DCI’s Capital Markets Investigations Unit.
Before his arrest, the businessman had been charged with conning a couple of Sh350,000. He will be held at Capitol Hill police station until Friday.
He was charged with two counts of obtaining money by false pretenses.
According to court documents seen by Shahidi News, Mathenge received Sh300,000 from Conceptor Ayiya Muhati at Alys Centre in Westlands.
In the second count, he is accused of obtaining Sh50,000 from Muhati’s husband John Wambwile Wekesa.
He is accused of committing the alleged offences on diverse dates between June 25 and 29 this year.
He is said to have lied that he was in a position to introduce the couple to a business investment plan that would make them quick millionaires.
They transferred the money through Mpesa to Sokomart Investments Limited through a pay bill number shared by Mathenge, via email.
But after 10 days, the couple started receiving flimsy excuses on why they had not started trading.
In one instance, they were told that a director of the company had travelled to China and no transactions could be done until he returns.
The excuses never stopped.
The DCI detectives arrested Mathenge after informing the court that there are ongoing investigations regarding his capital markets business – Sokomart Investments Limited that is not registered with the Capital Markets Authority.
He had opposed detention at Capitol Hill police station choosing to be held at Parklands police station where his car is detained but prosecution insisted Capitol Hill is convenient for detectives based at the CMA offices in the Upper Hill area.
He had alleged that he is asthmatic and could develop seizures if locked up in dusty places.
The same was rejected but senior principal magistrate Esther Bhoke ordered him to be escorted to a hospital.
The court will set bail and bond terms after investigations are concluded.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
