After that, all the phone numbers associated with the scam were switched off. Realising she had been conned, Karambu launched her own investigations and reported the matter at Thika Police Station, from where she was referred to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters on Kiambu Road for further investigation. Authorities eventually arrested Hesbon Onyango Nyamweya, a defilement convict serving a sentence at Kamiti Maximum Prison, along with his mother, Pamela Akinyi Wara. The pair were jointly charged with conspiracy to steal
A financial executive has recounted in court how she was conned out of KSh 7.6 million by a convict at Kamiti Maximum Prison, who also implicated his mother, landing her in Lang’ata Women’s Prison. Testifying before Milimani Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi, Purity Karambu, a financial executive, detailed how she fell victim to fraudsters while searching for a real estate investment opportunity.
Karambu told the court that she intended to purchase a property that would generate rental income. In her search for suitable options online, she came across a website known as Badoo Online, where she found a contact number and reached out to an individual who identified himself as James. Explaining her investment intentions, she was assured by James that he could assist her. The two began communicating frequently, though she was unaware that she was dealing with a convict at Kamiti Maximum Prison.
James introduced himself as a medical doctor with dual Kenyan-Tanzanian citizenship, working in South Africa. He claimed that, at the time, he and his colleagues were stationed at Tarakea on a medical mission due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Over time, James—whose real name was later revealed as Hesbon Nyamweya—began manipulating Karambu emotionally and financially. “In our first conversation, he told me he was at the Kenya-Tanzania border but had not processed his travel paperwork. Because of this, he claimed he could not access his bank account for transactions,” Karambu testified.
Despite never having met him in person, he persuaded her to send KSh 38,000 to process the alleged paperwork, promising a refund. Later, he called again, claiming that the process was delayed and that he needed KSh 5,000 for food and accommodation. Karambu complied.
James then escalated his deception by pretending to be unwell, claiming he had been admitted to Rayaan Hospital in Kajiado. He requested financial assistance for medical tests, including a COVID-19 test. “I sent KSh 48,000 for the tests. Shortly after, I received a call from a man who identified himself as Dr Emmanuel. He informed me that James had tested positive for COVID-19 and needed an urgent transfer to Sanitas Hospital in Tanzania,” she said.
Karambu told the court that the first transaction took place on 29 June 2020. The fraudulent scheme continued until the end of August that year, during which she sent a total of KSh 7,656,500 to the scammer.
In a shocking turn of events, she later received another call from ‘Dr Emmanuel’, now introducing himself as Hesbon, who informed her that James had succumbed to COVID-19.
After that, all the phone numbers associated with the scam were switched off. Realizing she had been conned, Karambu launched her own investigations and reported the matter at Thika Police Station, from where she was referred to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters on Kiambu Road for further investigation.
Authorities eventually arrested Hesbon Onyango Nyamweya, a defilement convict serving a sentence at Kamiti Maximum Prison, along with his mother, Pamela Akinyi Wara. The duo was jointly charged with conspiracy to steal.
Between May and September 2020, Nyamweya, Wara, and others not before the court allegedly stole KSh 7,656,500 from Karambu. They were also charged with money laundering under Section 3(b)(1) as read together with Section 16 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA) 2009.
According to the charges, between 1 May and 17 September 2020, Wara and her son unlawfully handled stolen money and engaged in transactions to conceal its origins, fully aware that the funds were proceeds of crime.
Nyamweya also faced additional charges of fraud.
Separately, Wara was charged with theft and handling stolen property under Sections 268(1) and 275 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 322(1)(2). During this period, she dishonestly retained KSh 7,656,500, despite knowing—or having reason to believe—that the money was acquired through theft.
Nyamweya remains incarcerated at Kamiti Maximum Prison while his case proceeds, whereas Wara is being held at Lang’ata Women’s Prison pending the determination of the trial.
