DCI Kenya: Arrests Made in Bamburi Cement Online Fraud Case

• Five individuals have been arrested and charged in Kenya for an online fraud scheme involving a fake Bamburi Cement website.
• A woman lost Sh742,000 in August 2025 after attempting to purchase 1,400 bags of cement from the fraudulent site.
• The victim was instructed to make an RTGS transfer to a local bank account, which was falsely presented as belonging to Bamburi Cement Limited.
• DCI investigations traced the stolen funds through accounts linked to Florence Atieno Okoth and Emmanuel Wekesa, leading to arrests in Uasin Gishu and Nairobi counties.
• The DCI has cautioned the public to verify online sellers and payment details to avoid falling victim to similar online shopping scams.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has reaffirmed its dedication to pursuing cyber-enabled fraudsters, dismantling criminal networks, and ensuring accountability for those engaged in financial crimes.

A woman seeking to procure 1,400 bags of cement for a family construction endeavor in Ruiru fell victim to an elaborate online fraud in August 2025, resulting in a loss of Sh742,000. Her search led her to a sophisticated website that falsely represented Bamburi Cement PLC, appearing to be a legitimate platform for the renowned manufacturer. Believing she was engaging with an authorized supplier, the complainant utilized a telephone number provided on the site, which subsequently directed her to a WhatsApp conversation.

During this exchange, the cement purchase was negotiated at a rate of Sh530 per bag. Following the agreement, she received an invoice instructing her to transfer the total amount of Sh742,000 via a Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) to a local bank account. This account was presented as belonging to Bamburi Cement Limited. On August 23, 2025, the full payment was remitted, but the anticipated consignment of cement never arrived. Subsequent attempts to contact the purported supplier were unsuccessful, prompting her to reach out directly to Bamburi Cement PLC, where she discovered the company had no record or knowledge of the transaction. The victim promptly reported the incident to the police.

Investigations initiated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) quickly confirmed that the website, the contact telephone number, and the invoice used in the fraudulent transaction were entirely fictitious and bore no legitimate connection or authorization from Bamburi Cement PLC. The DCI's financial probe meticulously traced the stolen funds, revealing a transfer from a bank account operated by Florence Atieno Okoth to another account held by Emmanuel Wekesa, who also used the alias Brian Mulumba. The entirety of the money was subsequently withdrawn through ATM transactions conducted in Kitengela Town.

An intelligence-led operation was then mounted by detectives, spanning Uasin Gishu and Nairobi counties. This coordinated effort culminated in the apprehension of five individuals suspected of involvement in the scheme. The arrested suspects were identified as Florence Atieno Okoth, Dickson Alalwa Mabati, Kevin Ongaya Were, Kelvin Kibet Keter, and Emmanuel Wekesa, also known as Brian Mulumba. All five have since been formally arraigned in court and are facing charges related to the fraud.

This specific case, involving a fake Bamburi Cement website fraud, starkly illustrates the increasing prevalence and sophistication of online shopping fraud in Kenya, prompting a stern warning from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to the public. The DCI has urged prospective buyers to exercise extreme caution and undertake thorough verification processes for websites, sellers, payment details, and all business transactions before committing any funds. This proactive advisory aims to prevent other individuals from falling prey to similar sophisticated online impersonation scams, particularly those involving large business-to-business transactions or significant purchases.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has reaffirmed its dedication to pursuing cyber-enabled fraudsters, dismantling criminal networks, and ensuring accountability for those engaged in financial crimes. The swift action in this Bamburi Cement online fraud case, leading to multiple arrests and DCI Kenya online scam charges, underscores the DCI's commitment to leveraging intelligence and financial tracing to bring perpetrators of online scams to justice. This ongoing effort is crucial for safeguarding consumers and upholding the integrity of online commerce against such deceptive practices.

Compliance officers should review internal protocols for verifying online suppliers and payment instructions, especially for large B2B transactions, to mitigate risks from sophisticated online impersonation scams. Lawyers should advise clients on enhanced due diligence and cybersecurity measures to prevent similar fraudulent schemes and be aware of the DCI's active pursuit of cyber-enabled fraudsters.

Source: Original reporting via Capital FM