This archive report was first published on 15 August 2019.
On July 25, more than 5,000 people gathered at the Kigali Convention Centre for a 'wealth summit' that never took place, leaving them stranded.
According to President Kagame, the incident was a result of a well-orchestrated scam by individuals who promised the youth easy wealth and fortune in exchange for payments.
Police investigations revealed that the hotel where the conference was supposed to take place had no knowledge of the event, and the individual who had registered to host the conference had only planned for 500 people.
However, when the individual noticed that many people had turned up for the conference, he started collecting money from them, and they actually paid it.
As a result, Rwanda's National Prosecution Authority charged three Kenyans and one Rwandan with fraud over the 'wealth conference' that never came to pass.
The accused are Charles Chege Kinuthia, Matipei Rachel Nashipai, Vivian Khisa Mutenyo, and Rwandan Mohamad Niyonkuru.
President Kagame warned the youth against falling prey to such individuals, who deceive them with promises of wealth but instead get rich themselves after taking their victims' money.
On July 31, 2019, the suspects were denied bail during their pre-trial hearing, and their trial date is yet to be communicated.
