Seven people have been arrested in Uganda for allegedly defrauding a Nigerian businessman out of $70,000 (£55,000) in a fake gold scam.
The arrests were made by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate.
A senior officer at the unit, Bamwiine Muhorozi, told a press briefing that the suspects allegedly promised to sell seven kilograms of gold to the victim, identified as Mark Gbillah.
The fraudsters, using the names of two companies, Legacy Refinery Limited and Emerod Agency Limited, had no actual gold to supply.
The suspects include four Congolese nationals and three Ugandans. They have been named as:
- Paluku Kisasi (Congolese)
- Safari Akonkwa (Congolese)
- Isaac Mpende (Congolese)
- Abdul Madjid Kahirima (Ugandan)
- Mabwongo Prince (Congolese)
- Kajjubi Tevin Kyome (Ugandan)
- Tibasiima Barbra (Ugandan)
Mr Muhorozi said the victim, Mr Gbillah, reported the matter, allowing the unit to set up a controlled meeting where the suspects were arrested.
7 ARRESTED BY SH-ACU FOR DEFRAUDING NIGERIAN BUSINESSMAN IN FAKE GOLD SCAM@AntiGraft_SH, in collaboration with the @CID1_UG, has arrested seven individuals involved in a fake gold scam.
At a press briefing held at Units’ Offices at the President’s Office at Parliamentary… pic.twitter.com/I8CcbsQtsl
— Anti Corruption Unit – State House Uganda (@AntiGraft_SH) August 12, 2025
Police also recovered approximately 150 kilograms of fake gold bars and imitation gold nuggets from the suspects’ rented premises in the Muyenga area of Kampala.
According to Mr Muhorozi, the suspects were caught in the act, preventing further financial losses to other potential victims. He urged the public and investors to verify business transactions with the relevant authorities and report suspicious activities.
The suspects are expected to be charged in a court of law.
