Nine Suspects Held in Uganda Over $1.8M Financial Crime Scam Involving Stanbic Bank Accounts
Multi-Agency Team Apprehends Nine Individuals in Connection with Financial Crime Case
Kampala, Uganda - A team of investigators from the CID Headquarters, Special Investigations Division, KMP Headquarters, Jinja Road Division, and the Investigations Department at Stanbic Bank, Uganda, has apprehended nine individuals in connection with a financial crime case that saw USD1.8 million transferred unlawfully from Nile Energy’s account into three Stanbic Bank accounts.
Preliminary Investigations
According to preliminary investigations, the alleged culprits, along with accomplices from Stanbic Bank’s Garden City and Freedom City branches, compromised the account of Nile Energy and carried out unauthorized transactions involving the following accounts:
- Dixon Kagurusi Ampumuza (Account Number 9030012835107)
- Petrom Limited (Account Number 9030021572615)
- Famane Investments Co. Ltd (Account Number 9030018628871)
Unlawful Activities
The unlawful activities carried out between the 24th and 3rd of February 2023, included cash withdrawals and interbank transfers. Some of the transactions involved were:
- USD 40,000, USD 90,000, and inter-account transfers of USD 295,000 were made to Famane Investments Co. Ltd on the 24th of January 2023.
- On the 31st of January 2023, an inter-account transfer of USD 495,000 was made to Petrom Ltd.
- USD 60,000 was withdrawn from Freedom City Branch on the 1st of February 2023.
- USD 287,000 was transferred to Petrom Ltd and another USD 295,000 was transferred to Dixon Kagurusi Ampumuza, posing as Mohamed Abdul Hakim Hussein (Company Director and Account signatory of Nile Energy), on the 2nd of February 2023.
Co-Owners and Directors
It was also uncovered that Petrom Limited was co-owned by Oscar Kyabukasa Lutaaya and Hashur Rahman, while Famane Investments Co. Ltd was directed by Oman Ghebreyesus, Fiona Dede Bwende, and Elijah Daniel Wanzu.
Arrest of Tefera Okubaslassie Robel
On the 3rd of February 2023, a suspect, Tefera Okubaslassie Robel, an Eritrean refugee, was apprehended at the Freedom City Branch with two Inter Account Transfer forms valued at USD 988,200, which were intended to be transferred illegally from the Nile Energy Account into an account owned by Dixon Kagurusi Ampumuza (Director of Petrom Ltd). Tefera was also found to be in possession of a forged Kenyan Passport (number AK 0849025), belonging to Mohamed Abduhakim Hussein. Ugandan authorities collaborated with Kenyan Interpol agents on this identification issue.
Confessions of Directors of Famane Investments Co. Ltd
Three Directors of Famane Investments Co. Ltd were also apprehended shortly after Tefera’s detention, and upon interrogation, they confessed to receiving the ill-gotten funds, which they used in a gold transaction of USD 250,000 with Mansoor and Sam Fred. No supporting documents were presented to corroborate the gold transaction.
Further Allegations
Efforts are being made to locate Dixon Ampumuza Kagurusi (Director of Petrom Ltd), who is still at large. Further allegations of forgery and utterance of forged documents are being processed.
Commitment of Ugandan Law Enforcement Agencies
Twelve suspects have been taken into custody, with nine set to face charges of causing financial loss and money laundering in court on the 13th of February 2023. The detainees include Tefera Okubaslassie Robel, Ayesiga Moses (Branch Manager of Stanbic Bank, Garden City Branch), Natukunda Brian (former employee of Stanbic Bank), and the three Directors of Famane Investments Co. Ltd.
Remarks from Police Spokesperson
Police Spokesperson SCP Enanga Fred reiterated the importance of banks implementing improved prevention and detection measures.