The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives have arrested a suspected con who has been targeting Kenyans in the diaspora in fake medical supply tenders. The suspect, Mary Njoki Ng’ang’a alias Dr Susan, is said to be the mastermind of a group of fraudsters posing as dealers connected to the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Nairobi. As reported by the investigations agency, Njoki was nabbed after she and her accomplices defrauded, Wallace, a Kenyan based in the US, over KSh 30 million.The lady was arrested as she waited for Wallace, who was to deliver KSh20 million in cash, in exchange for a consignment of alleged cancer treatment drugs that were in her possession.
The man, an American of Kenyan descent, had made a report to the police after losing the first KSh 30 million.
In a well-laid trap by serious crimes detectives, the woman who was enjoying the security of a rogue police officer, was arrested near the Suppers and Dinners restaurant in Nairobi’s Hurligham.Wallace had been duped into believing that he had won a tender at UNOPS, for the supply of Eloxatin, a drug used in the treatment of stage three of colon cancer. This is after a con based in Nairobi was introduced to a Whatsapp group of Kenyan’s living in the United States, where he posed as a strategist in the UNOPS system, with connections to assist in the supply of goods and services.
The victim developed an interest and he travelled to Nairobi to meet with an alleged top procurement official working at UNOPS.
The official who identified herself as Leah Wanjiru met Wallace at the TRM mall along Thika road, where she introduced him to the UNOPS supply system.
The victim was introduced to a supplies portal alleged to be managed by UNOPS and asked to register since all tenders would be advertised in the portal.
Wallace registered and was convinced that the portal was legitimate since Leah had also driven into TRM with a vehicle bearing diplomatic number plates.
However, investigations by detectives later revealed that the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Nairobi was not affiliated with such a portal. After some time, a tender to supply 1,000 Cancer Eloxatin vials was posted on the website. Wallace received a call from Leah and was informed that he had been awarded the tender.
However, he was informed that UNOPS only accepted Eloxatin from accredited pharmacists in Kenya, and was sent to one Moses Otieno, who would sell him the product.
He was first asked to deliver a sample from Otieno, which was certified as legit.
In a well-planned and orchestrated scheme, Wallace was first asked to supply 250 vials, which Otieno would sell to him at KSh 64,000 per vial.
He would then supply to UNOPS at KSh 113,000 per vial making a profit of KSh 50,000 per vial.
Wallace fell for the trap and made the initial supply but first requested for the services of a lawyer to witness the deal. Later, he was asked to supply another 250 vials, as his payment was being processed.
He made arrangements with his bank along Kimathi Street and made a withdrawal of KSh 20 million, which he gave to Otieno for the supply of the second consignment.
The lawyer who had witnessed the earlier deal was also invited to witness the second deal.
When Wallace asked to be paid his money, the procurement officer told him to complete supplying the remaining 500 vials before his payment was processed in 14 days.
She even offered to talk to Otieno, to give him the drugs on credit, for his money to be wired in his accounts expeditiously.
After 14-days, the cons went underground and efforts by Wallace to reach them turned futile.
Njoki offers another deal
On December 27, Wallace received a phone call from Njoki who offered to supply Eloxatin vials to him worth KSh 20 million. Mary, who was in the company of police constable Charles Ogetii based at DCI Kilimani were waiting for the KSh 20 million when serious crimes detectives busted them.
A total of 550 vials alleged to contain Eloxatin were recovered from the scene.
The suspect was placed in lawful custody as detectives finalise their investigations.
Police constable Ogetii is currently under disciplinary proceedings in line with the service standing orders.