The mastermind behind a mineral export scam that defrauded a Chinese investor of Ksh151 million has been sentenced to three years in prison or pay a Sh10 million fine after being found guilty of obtaining money by false pretences.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, 24, 2026, at the Milimani Law Courts, the suspect was convicted of Obtaining Money by False Pretences contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code.

The conviction brings to a close an elaborate transnational fraud scheme in which the suspect allegedly used multiple identities, forged legitimacy through convincing paperwork, and promised lucrative mineral exports to lure the investor.

Investigators said the victim was led to believe he was purchasing a shipment of valuable minerals destined for export, only for the deal to unravel and expose what authorities described as a carefully orchestrated scam.

📌 What You Need to Know

Investigators said the scheme was designed to appear credible, with shipments processed through official channels, matching documentation and sealed containers giving the impression of a legitimate export operation.

According to the DCI, the arres t of the suspect happened on April 5, 2024, shortly after he arrived in Nairobi from Entebbe, Uganda.

The suspect, arriving from Entebbe, had just landed in Nairobi, and investigators say that he attempted to re-enter the country using alternative travel documents despite an existing stop order linked to one of his identities.

Tantalum is a rare, heat-resistant metal mainly used in the manufacturing of electronic devices because of its ability to store and regulate electrical energy efficiently.

It is commonly found in smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, medical equipment, and automotive electronics, where it is used to make capacitors and other critical components.

Additionally, the court ordered that the Ksh 151 million lost in the fraudulent mineral deal be refunded to the victim.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke