Kampala, Uganda – The Ugandan police have arrested seven people, including four Congolese nationals and three Ugandans, for allegedly defrauding a Nigerian Member of Parliament and investor of $70,000 (approximately Shs270 million) in a fake gold transaction.
The arrests followed a joint operation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) in the Kampala suburbs of Muyenga and Bukasa, after the Nigerian High Commission raised an alert.
The suspects have been identified as Paluku Kisasi, Safari Akonkwa, Isaac Mpende, and Mabwongo Prince (all Congolese), along with Ugandan nationals Abdul Madjid Kahirima, Kajjubi Tevin Kyome, and Tibasiima Barbra, also known as Katushabe Sharon.
Investigators revealed that the scam unfolded in two stages. On July 15, Emerode Agency Ltd allegedly promised to supply the Nigerian lawmaker with 3 kilograms of gold in exchange for $30,000, but the deal collapsed with no delivery made. Hoping to recover, the investor later engaged Legacy Refinery Company Limited for an additional 4 kilograms of gold, paying another $40,000 — again, with nothing delivered.
Police said the suspects have since confessed to orchestrating fake gold deals “for some time.” Authorities praised the Nigerian High Commission for providing vital intelligence that made the operation successful.
In a statement, the CID warned of a rising trend in gold-related scams, particularly targeting foreign investors. “We caution all investors to conduct proper due diligence. These scams are increasingly sophisticated and costly,” a spokesperson said.
The suspects are currently in police custody while investigations continue.
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