Tanzanian arrested for defrauding Kilifi livestock trader detained as DCI probes fraud

Two Tanzanian men who allegedly obtained Sh1.8 million from a Kilifi businessman while pretending to be in a position to deliver 315 goats to him will remain in custody at the Muthaiga police station for 14 days pending police investigations into the matter.

The two are Marijani Salimu Mseno and Abraham Mollel who allegedly received the cash from Yasir Said Swaleh on July 1, 2024, falsely pretending they could deliver the goats at a slaughterhouse in Kitengela, Kajiado County. They have never delivered any goats to date.

The suspects had promised the businessman goats weighing approximately 8.5 kilograms each after slaughter and extraction of internal parts, after which each animal would have a market value of Sh5,500.

Swaleh is the owner of Bahamed General Trading Limited based in Kitengela involved in the business of outsourcing and buying livestock in East Africa, slaughtering and exporting the meat to Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.

He deposited the money in different amounts to Msemo's bank account at NMB Bank of Tanzania with an agent based in Namanga town.

Swaleh availed bank details of the transactions to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters after reporting the incident.

Inspector of police Nickson Kiunga of DCI headquarters obtained orders at the Makadara Law Courts to detain the suspects at the Muthaiga police station for 14 days pending investigations into the fraud.

"After receiving the money, the two suspects fled to their country until October 25 when they were arrested by DCI officers in Namanga," stated IP Kiunga in his affidavit filed in court to support his application for the custodial orders.

IP Kiunga also obtained orders compelling the NMB bank CEO to supply the DCI with relevant documents in regards to Msemo's bank accounts including account opening details needed for building up evidence against the suspects.

Also needed from the bank include statements of Msemo's account for the period between June 1, and September 30, 2024 – generated under section 106 (b) of the Evidence Act in regards to electronically generated confirmatory evidence. The documents can only be obtained with the court orders sought.

The orders were granted as sought by Senior Principal Magistrate Agnes Mwangi. The suspects will return to court on November 13 for a determination on whether they will be charged.

Other Topics To Read

• DCI
• Fraud
• Kilifi businessman
• Tanzanian arrested for defrauding Kilifi livestock trader detained as DCI probes fraud
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