Businessman Accused of Orchestrating Ksh.30 Million Fraud Scheme
According to court documents, Mungai first met Lukah on March 27, 2024, at the headquarters of One Africa Credit Bank, where he was introduced as a capable contact to facilitate a trade finance assignment. She later held several meetings with him
A Nairobi-based businessman has been charged at the Milimani Law Courts for allegedly conspiring to defraud a businesswoman of Ksh.30 million in a complex trade finance deal
Daniel Lukah appeared before the court on Thursday, where he denied accusations of working with unnamed accomplices to defraud Elizabeth Wanjiku Mungai between May 6 and 30, 2024, in Westlands, Nairobi. He was freed on a Ksh.3 million cash bond
According to court documents, Mungai first met Lukah on March 27, 2024, at the headquarters of One Africa Credit Bank, where he was introduced as a capable contact to facilitate a trade finance assignment. She later held several meetings with him
Mungai told the court that Lukah claimed the bank could not directly handle her transaction and that external agents would be required to lease the necessary financial instruments. She was introduced to another individual who allegedly managed the documentation
The businesswoman said Lukah instructed her to deposit funds to prove her commitment. After borrowing from her Development Bank account, she deposited Ksh.30 million into One Africa Credit Bank on April 12, 2024, later moving it to a fixed deposit account as directed
She further alleged that payments including a 4% commission on a USD 7.25 million instrument were diverted to an account not associated with the bank
The supplier of the financial instruments reportedly rejected the transaction three days later, citing missing SWIFT arrangements with the purported issuer, Ace Investments Bank
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After repeated unsuccessful attempts to reach the contacts involved, and with Lukah responding only sporadically on WhatsApp, Mungai realized she had been duped
She filed a report with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), leading to Lukah’s arrest and prosecution
The case is scheduled for further hearing at the Milimani Law Courts
Writer : Mweru Mbugua
