Detectives from Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Serious Crime Unit are investigating how a prisoner still serving a sentence at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison scammed a businesswoman Sh7,656,500.
Hesbon Onyango Nyamweya was jailed for defilement and is still in the prison but he managed to con Purity Karambu Laird millions in a fake land deal.
Nyamweya also managed to wire the money to her elderly mother to start some projects.
The prominent businesswoman reported to DCI that Nyamweya contacted her claiming he could sell her a prime land.
For months he managed to communicate with Purity, convincing her that he could facilitate the sale of the land, which never existed.
Between May 1, 2020, and September 17, 2020, he maintained regular phone communication with her, building trust and presenting himself as a legitimate land seller.
Purity transferred the Sh7.6 million to an account provided by Nyamweya and when he received the money, he transferred to his mother Pamela Akinyi Wara in several tranches within five months.
The funds were then used by his mother to acquire properties in various locations including Ongata Rongai, Lang’ata, and Migori County.
Investigators say the woman who has since been arraigned at Milimani Law courts was building a multi-million residential house in Ongata Rongai.
At court, she claimed she was not aware of the source of money but the prosecution argued that Pamela was fully aware of the fraudulent activities and played a significant role in laundering the proceeds by investing in real estate.
Magistrate Susan Shitubi released her on a Sh2 million bond. She will appear in court on September 5 for further directions.
In the meantime, the investigators are now probing how that was possible yet the convicts should not have access to phones.
It is suspected there could be collusion among prison staff.
