Seven Nabbed Over USD 70,000 Fake Gold Scam
Seven people are in custody after the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working alongside the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), busted a fake gold racket that allegedly swindled a Nigerian businessman of USD 70,000.
According to the Unit, the group convinced Mr. Mark Gbillah, a Nigerian national, that they could supply him with seven kilograms of gold through two Kampala-based companies Legacy Refinery Limited and Emerod Agency Limited. The companies, investigators later found, had no gold at all.
Senior Unit Officer Bamwiine Muhorozi told reporters on Monday that the suspects were trapped after the victim quickly reported the matter.
“We worked with the complainant to arrange a controlled meeting, and this enabled us to arrest the suspects before they could get more money from him,” Bamwiine said.
Those arrested are Paluku Kisasi, Safari Akonkwa, Isaac Mpende, and Mabwongo Prince — all Congolese nationals — along with Ugandans Abdul Madjid Kahirima, Kajjubi Tevin Kyome, and Tibasiima Barbra, alias Katushabe Sharon. They allegedly posed as gold sellers, agents, and company officials to lure their target.
The suspects will be charged in court in the coming days.
A search of the suspects’ rented residence in Muyenga uncovered about 150 kilograms of imitation gold bars and fake gold nuggets, believed to be props in their scheme.
Bamwiine noted that the Unit has intercepted several such scams, but this case stood out because the suspects were caught mid-operation, saving potential victims from further losses.
“We urge the public and investors to always verify business transactions with the relevant authorities and to report any suspicious dealings,” he advised.
