Francis Sikuku
In a startling case of deception, financial expert Purity Karambu fell victim to a sophisticated fraud scheme masterminded by Hesbon Onyango Nyamweya, an inmate at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, and his mother, Pamela Akinyi Wara. Over a five-month period in 2020, the duo swindled her out of Sh7.6 million under the pretense of facilitating a lucrative real estate investment.
The scheme began when Karambu, seeking to invest in rental properties, connected with Nyamweya through an online platform. Posing as “James,” a dual citizen doctor operating between Kenya and Tanzania, Nyamweya convinced Karambu of his legitimacy and intentions to assist her in acquiring commercial property.
Unbeknownst to Karambu, Nyamweya was orchestrating the fraud from behind bars, serving a sentence for rape. He directed her to transfer funds via mobile money platforms, which his mother, Wara, subsequently deposited into bank accounts, allegedly to secure the property.
The deception unraveled when Karambu, after transferring a total of Sh7,656,500, became suspicious and reported the matter to authorities. Investigations led to the arrest of both Nyamweya and Wara. They now face multiple charges, including theft, fraud, and money laundering.
This case underscores the evolving nature of fraud schemes and the importance of due diligence in financial transactions. It also highlights the challenges authorities face in curbing criminal activities orchestrated from within prison walls.
Stephen Musungu
