Detectives have captured a suspect believed to be the mastermind behind a Ksh 151 million scam involving tantalum minerals.
In a statement shared by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspect, identified as Ulundu Patrick Lumumba, also known as Gabriel Kulonda and Lumumba Patrick Byarufu, was nabbed by the Operations Support Unit (OSU) of the DCI upon his arrival from Entebbe, Uganda.
According to the DCI, Lumumba was intercepted along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi after managing to evade detection by Immigration officials at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Detectives said a stop order had been placed on his passport under the name Gabriel Kulonda Ilungu, yet Lumumba attempted entry into the country using various aliases and forged documents.
It is alleged that Lumumba orchestrated a sophisticated scheme where containers supposedly filled with tantalum minerals were found to contain nothing but sand.
"Prime suspect in Sh151 million scam where two containers filled with sand declared as Tantalum minerals were intercepted in the port of Mombasa has been arrested by the Operations Support Unit (OSU) of the DCI moments. after touch down from Entebbe, Uganda. Ulundu Patrick Lumumba Alias Gabriel Kulonda Alias Lumumba Patrick Byarufu was cornered along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi, minutes after evading detection by Immigration officials at JKIA where a Stop Order had been placed on his passport number OPO256544 in the names of Gabriel Kulonda Ilungu," the statement by DCI read in part.
Adding;
"Determined to sneak back into the country and further his felonious activities, the suspect used a Ugandan Interstate pass card no. 020841009 in the name of Lumumba Patrick Byarufu, and upon arrest was also found in possession of yet another Congolese Passport number OPO792312 in the names of Patrick Ulundu Lumumba."
According to the detectives, the scam came to light when a female Chinese national, who was expecting a shipment of tantalum minerals, discovered drums of sand instead upon opening one of the containers in China.
Preliminary investigations revealed that not only had two 20ft containers containing sand been intercepted at the port of Mombasa, but a third 40ft container managed to pass verification processes without proper documentation.
In total, six containers purportedly filled with tantalum minerals were found to contain sand.
"A female Chinese national lost Sh151 million to the suspect's machinations after one of three containers declared to contain tantalum minerals was opened in China, only to be found loaded with drums of sand, triggering investigations at the port of Mombasa, the transit route. In the preliminary stages, two 20ft containers also containing sand had been found at the Mombasa port, before hawk-eyed sleuths intercepted a third one (40ft) at a warehouse still at the port. Surpringly, the 40ft container had passed the entire verification process without any documentation. This totalled to six, the number of containers of sand declared as tantalum minerals," the DCI revealed.
PRIME SUSPECT IN TANTALUM MINERALS SCAM NABBED IN NAIROBI.
Prime suspect in Sh151 million scam where two containers filled with sand declared as Tantalum minerals were intercepted in the port of Mombasa has been arrested by the Operations Support Unit (OSU) of the DCI moments pic.twitter.com/WHUVvMsbve— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) April 5, 2024
Although the syndicate managed to swindle over Ksh49 million, their illicit gains were thwarted as the bank froze the account where the Ksh151 million was deposited. Suspected rogue bank officials are currently under active investigation for their alleged involvement in facilitating the scam.
"Even as investigations regarding the fake consignment continue, a court battle between OSU detectives and influential members of the scamming ring is underway, as they fight to have the intercepted millions wired to accounts recently opened with a local bank."
The apprehended suspect is set to be arraigned on Friday, April 5, 2024, at Milimani Law Courts.
