In a shocking case of cross-border fraud, detectives have arrested a Nairobi woman accused of conning a Chinese investor out of USD 101,000 in a fake aluminium deal.
The suspect, 38-year-old Harriet Mary Wabwire, reportedly used forged documents and false company credentials to gain the investor’s trust, only to vanish with the money shortly after the transaction.
Her arrest in Tassia marks the end of a weeks-long manhunt and a fresh warning from police on the rising trend of business scams targeting foreigners and locals alike.
Fake Aluminium Deal Exposed After Investor Loses Over Sh13 Million
The case began when Wabwire introduced herself to the Chinese businessman as the director of a company named OTD Group Limited, claiming she could supply 23,890 kilograms of aluminium alloys. To win the investor’s trust, she presented forged shipping documents, including a fake bill of lading and a counterfeit Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) certificate of conformity.
According to the paperwork, the consignment was packed in a 40-foot container set for shipment from Mombasa to Ningbo, China. Everything looked official—on paper. But it was all a lie.
Once the investor wired the USD 101,000 (approximately KSh 13.2 million) into Wabwire’s bank account, she switched off her phone and disappeared without a trace. The investor, realizing he had been duped, reported the matter to police, prompting an intense investigation.
Detectives Track and Arrest the Suspect in Tassia
A team from the Kamukunji Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) quickly took up the case. Using forensic intelligence and bank tracking tools, they followed the money trail and digital clues that eventually led them to Tassia, a residential area in Nairobi’s Eastlands.
There, detectives arrested Wabwire at a hideout where she had been living quietly. Sources say she was shocked to be found, thinking she had covered her tracks. She is now in police custody awaiting arraignment, where she will face charges related to obtaining money by false pretenses, fraud, and forgery.
Police say Wabwire operated alone and had no physical business premises tied to the so-called OTD Group Limited. It is believed that she created the company solely to stage the scam and make the deal appear legitimate to unsuspecting investors.
Police Issue Warning Over Rising Fake Aluminium Deal Scams
This latest incident adds to the growing number of fake aluminium deal scams targeting both local and foreign investors. Authorities warn that fraudsters are now using advanced forgery tactics, including counterfeit KEBS certificates and fake shipping manifests, to trick victims.
“This is a wake-up call. Investors, both foreign and local, must always verify the legitimacy of companies and double-check documents with relevant government agencies before making any payments,” said a senior DCI officer.
Police urge anyone who suspects they have been targeted or defrauded in similar scams to report the matter immediately. With increased vigilance and swift investigations, they hope to stamp out these high-stakes con games before more victims fall prey.
