A joint operation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) has dismantled a suspected gold fraud ring accused of defrauding a Nigerian businessman of USD 70,000 (about shs260 million).
Authorities say the syndicate duped Mr. Mark Gbillah into believing they could supply him with seven kilograms of gold through two Kampala companies Legacy Refinery Limited and Emerod Agency Limited. Investigators later confirmed that neither company possessed any gold.
Senior Unit Officer Bamwiine Muhorozi said the suspects were caught after the victim promptly alerted the authorities.
“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 revealed on Monday.
The group in custody includes Congolese nationals Paluku Kisasi, Safari Akonkwa, Isaac Mpende, and Mabwongo Prince, as well as Ugandans Abdul Madjid Kahirima, Kajjubi Tevin Kyome, and Tibasiima Barbra, also known as Katushabe Sharon. They allegedly posed as gold dealers, agents, and company representatives to lure their target.
A raid on their rented home in Muyenga turned up approximately 150 kilograms of counterfeit gold bars and nuggets, which investigators believe were used as props to convince unsuspecting buyers.
Bamwiine noted that while gold scams are not new, this operation was unique because the suspects were apprehended mid-deal.
“We urge the public and investors to always verify business transactions with the relevant authorities and to report any suspicious dealings,” he advised.
The suspects are expected to face formal charges in court in the coming days.
