Samuel Karuga Wachiuri, described by investigators as a serial fraudster, was tracked and arrested by detectives from the Nairobi Regional Office after going underground for weeks. Karuga allegedly posed as a trusted foodstuff supplier and convinced the victim to pay him Sh5,912,600 for a bulk consignment of rice and sugar that never existed.
“He came across as professional, offered legit-looking paperwork, and even had a fake delivery schedule. He was smooth,” said a senior detective involved in the case.
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The deal involved 6,000 bags of 25kg rice and 250 bags of 50kg sugar, which the businesswoman believed would yield strong profits. Trusting his operation, she wired the funds into his account in good faith.
But soon after receiving the money, Karuga reportedly switched off his phone and disappeared, triggering panic and suspicion from the victim.
“I thought I was expanding my business. Instead, I fell into a well-crafted trap,” the woman told The Daily Whistle, requesting anonymity.
THE MANHUNT & ARREST:
A full-scale investigation was launched by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), who used digital forensics and banking trails to trace Karuga’s movements. The trail led officers to Isebania, a busy border town in Migori County, where Karuga was arrested just moments before he could cross into Tanzania.
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“He was trying to escape, but we moved in swiftly based on credible intelligence. His arrest was inevitable,” said a DCI officer who participated in the cross-border operation.
COURT PROCEEDINGS:
Karuga was charged in Milimani Law Courts on Wednesday, where he pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Hon. Caroline Nyaguthi. Despite the magnitude of the fraud, he was granted cash bail of Sh200,000, a move that has raised eyebrows among legal observers.
“The bail amount sends the wrong message in a case involving serious economic crimes,” argued criminal lawyer Peter Mwangi.
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The matter is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on June 19, 2025, with prosecutors expected to present critical evidence, including bank records, forged documents, and digital communication
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