Seven individuals, including four Congolese nationals and three Ugandans, are in custody after a joint operation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) uncovered a fake gold racket that defrauded a Nigerian businessman of USD 70,000.
The suspects identified as Paluku Kisasi, Safari Akonkwa, Isaac Mpende, Mabwongo Prince, Abdul Madjid Kahirima, Kajjubi Tevin Kyome, and Tibasiima Barbra, also known as Katushabe Sharon allegedly convinced Mr. Mark Gbillah, a Nigerian national, that they could supply seven kilograms of gold through two Kampala-based companies, Legacy Refinery Limited and Emerod Agency Limited. Investigators later found that these companies had no gold at all.
Senior Unit Officer Bamwiine Muhorozi said the suspects were arrested after the victim quickly reported the fraud. 
“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 told reporters on Monday.
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 used in their scheme.
Bamwiine noted that while the Unit has intercepted several such scams, this case was notable because the suspects were caught mid-operation, preventing further losses.
“We urge the public and investors to always verify business transactions with the relevant authorities and to report any suspicious dealings.”
The suspects are expected to be charged in court in the coming days.
