A lawyer and two others have been arrested by detectives attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for operating a fake online car sale syndicate targeting unsuspecting buyers.
The lawyer identified as Moses Owino Angelo was arrested alongside George Tsuma in Mombasa.
The third suspect, believed to be the mastermind of the fake car dealing racket identified as Charles Kipsang Koech alias Charles Brian Koech alias Ibrahim Merrali was apprehended in Naivasha.
The trio post vehicles for sale online and later ask for partial or full payment before vanishing and are also involved in criminal abduction ring.
Detectives also established they take unsuspecting buyers to various car yards in the city pretending to be owners.
“A lawyer and two other suspects were last night arrested when DCI detectives broke a multi-million fraudulent online car dealers syndicate that purports to operate in Mombasa.” DCI George Kinoti said via DCI Twitter habdle.
Investigators launched sting operation after two victims filed separate complaints at DCI Kasarani in Nairobi of having been swindled after making payments for vehicles they had seen posted on an online market place operating under an online platform identified as jiji.co.ke.
“Investigations have established that Charles Kipsang is the kingpin of the racket.
One buyer reported he was led to a car yard on Nairobi’s Ngong road to view a Toyota Probox. After making the full payment, he was abducted and dumped in the city center.” Kinoti added.
He said another buyer paid a deposit through Mpesa for a Land Rover. The vehicle was never delivered.
“We appeal to members of the public who may have fallen victim of the syndicate to report to DCI Kasarani for further police action.” The police boss noted.
In the past, police have busted online motor dealers involved in fraud ring.
In 2018 police tracked down Japken Motors, an online motor dealer linked to cash swindling syndicate targeting unsuspecting potential buyers both in Nairobi and Mombasa.
The web of fraud ring involves pay requisitions of importation cost, partial purchase deposit and claimed vehicle transfer fee.
Investigators were keen to establish if the suspects being tracked down have also committed identity fraud of the legitimate Japken Motors particulars.
Simon Wachira Gathoni reported the matter at Kasarani Police Station against Japken Motors after he was conned sh135, 000 for the purchase of a motor vehicle he was yet to see months after making required deposit.
“I have reported the matter at Kasarani CID offices. The supposed sellers are in Nairobi Ruai but claim they are in Mombasa. I suspect they might have registered their Mpesa line using fake identity card.” Simon decried.
According to records availed , Japken is the owner of the said vehicle records, the owner of the vehicle of Certificate of Incorporation CPR/2009/45987 and PIN P051547632F
“I, Asit Vinodbhai Patel T/A Japken Motors do hereby acknowledge receipt of Twenty Thousand, Kshs. 20,000/= from Mr. Symon Wachira Gathoni being a commitment fee for the processing of the number plate of a TOYOTA PASSO, 2010 which he intends to purchase. The amount has been sent via MPESA to 0714 683 164, recipient Asit Vinodbhai Patel, transaction number MBD3Q3A8YR on 13/2/18 at 3:56PM dated this 13th day of February 2018.” One of the acknowledgment correspondences written by Asit to Simon reads in part.
Another Sh45, 000 was paid via Mpesa transaction number(s) MBF6R67QBE and MBF8R699KM on 15/2/18 at 10:55AM.
A day after receiving Sh135, 000 through Mpesa and bank transactions, Asit told his would be victim they have managed to obtain number plate allocation and the transfer approval from the National Transport and Safety Authority (Ntsa).
“We now need to email NTSA that the details are okay so that they confirm and upload on their portal as we pick the physical number plate and mount on the car. As a Company Policy for the above to happen you need to have paid 70 per cent of the Purchase Price Deposit (Kshs. 120,000/=) then we install the tracking device and the comprehensive insurance cover for one year then the car will be ready for dispatch,” Asit added in a letter in our possession.
According to documents sent by Asit , the profiled proprietor of the firm to Simon, the vehicle Toyota Passo, Black, 2010 Model registration is indicated as KCP790Q Chassis/Frame Number NGC30-0004510 of customs entry number 2018MSA6778082 and allegedly registered on February 14, 2018.
Since then, Simon is yet to hear from the said motor dealers despite have told him the delivery was due two months ago.
“Kindly avail yourself personally to collect the unit. A proof of Identification will be required (ID Card).” Asit said in one of the correspondences.