A Nairobi woman accused of orchestrating a high-profile international investment scam has been arraigned in court, charged with defrauding a businesswoman of over Sh30 million and USD 50,000 while pretending to represent a Dubai-based company.
Lilian Wangui Odwoma, also known as Lilian Weru, appeared before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Dolpina Alego, where she denied multiple counts of fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering.
The prosecution alleges that Odwoma falsely presented herself as an agent of Pacific Concord International FZC, a firm purportedly based in Dubai, with the intention of swindling investor Elizabeth Wanjiku Muigai.
The Alleged Sh30 Million Dubai Investment Scam
According to the charge sheet presented in court, the alleged fraud occurred between May 6 and May 20, 2024, in the Westlands area of Nairobi County.
During this period, the accused, “jointly with others not before court,” reportedly lured Wanjiku into believing that she could secure a Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) from Pacific Concord International FZC — a document commonly used in international trade to guarantee payment.
Believing the promise, the complainant transferred USD 50,000 and Sh30 million to the suspect. However, investigations later revealed that no such arrangement existed with the Dubai-based firm and that the company had no records of any agent by that name operating in Kenya.
Detectives say Odwoma and her accomplices carefully crafted fake documentation, including official-looking contracts, corporate letters, and digital correspondences bearing the company’s name and logo to bolster the illusion of legitimacy.
Prosecution’s Case and Money Laundering Allegations
In addition to the fraud and conspiracy counts, Odwoma faces a separate charge of money laundering, after investigators established that she allegedly moved the defrauded funds through various accounts in Credit Bank to conceal their origin.
Court documents indicate that between May 6 and September 10, 2024, the accused “engaged in transactions designed to conceal the proceeds of crime,” knowing that the money in question had been obtained fraudulently.
The prosecution has requested additional time to trace and recover the funds, which are suspected to have been transferred through multiple intermediaries, possibly including offshore accounts.
Court Proceedings and Custody Decision
When the charges were read, Odwoma pleaded not guilty to all counts of obtaining money by false pretences, conspiracy to defraud, and money laundering.
Prosecutors from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) opposed her release on bail, arguing that she posed a flight risk due to her international connections and the ongoing investigations involving foreign entities.
Magistrate Dolpina Alego ordered that the accused remain in custody until next week, when the court will rule on the bail application and determine whether the suspect should be remanded pending trial.
Victim’s Ordeal and Investigations
Sources close to the investigation revealed that Wanjiku, a Nairobi-based businesswoman, was approached by Odwoma earlier this year with what appeared to be a lucrative investment opportunity involving trade financing through Pacific Concord International FZC.
The suspect allegedly convinced her that by securing an SBLC, she could access international credit facilities worth millions of dollars. To support her claim, Odwoma reportedly showcased fake email correspondences and contracts purportedly signed by company executives in Dubai.
After transferring the money, Wanjiku waited several weeks for documentation that never came. Repeated calls and messages to the suspect went unanswered, prompting her to report the matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
DCI detectives launched a probe that led to Odwoma’s arrest, uncovering what they described as a “sophisticated financial fraud involving cross-border transactions and falsified corporate identities.”
DCI Warns of Rising International Investment Scams
The DCI has since issued a public advisory warning Kenyans to exercise caution when dealing with individuals or entities claiming to represent foreign companies or investment firms.
“These fraudsters often use impressive documentation, professional websites, and international phone numbers to appear legitimate. Always verify through official embassy channels or business registries before sending money abroad,” a senior DCI officer said.
The agency further noted a sharp rise in scams involving fake trade finance deals, cryptocurrency investments, and foreign exchange trading platforms, with losses running into hundreds of millions of shillings annually.
Conclusion
The case of Lilian Wangui Odwoma highlights the growing sophistication of financial fraud targeting Kenyan investors eager for international business opportunities.
As investigations continue, prosecutors are confident that the evidence — including digital communications, bank transfers, and recovered documents — will prove the accused’s involvement in the elaborate scheme.
The accused remains in custody pending her next court appearance, as the DCI and DPP push for full accountability and the recovery of the stolen funds.