KAMPALA – Police’s Special Investigations Division acting on the vigilance of Stanbic Bank’s Fraud Department are holding several suspects for conning to defraud the financial institution of $1.8m.
Twelve suspects – according Enanga were apprehended, out of whom nine were expected to be charged at the anti-corruption division on Monday for causing financial loss and money laundering.
These include; Robert Tefera Okubalassie, who was intercepted with a forged passport and funds transfer form in the bank; Moses Ayusiga – the branch Manager of Stanbic Bank, Garden City, who allegedly effected the two transfers of $287,000 and 295,000 from Nile Energy Account to Petrom Ltd in a fraudulent and illegal manner; Brian Natukunda – a former employee of Stanbic Bank, who had introduced Dixon Kagurusi Ampumuza to Moses Ayusiga; the three Directors of Famane Investments Co. Ltd – including, Oman Ghebreyesus, Fiona Dede Bwende, Elijah Daniel Wanzu, in who company account number, money was received and David Ssekito-the Manager at Freedom City Branch.
The suspects are said to have compromised the financial institution’s gaining unauthorised access to a client’s account – and transferring funds amounting to $1.8m (about Ugx6.6b), into other bank accounts – which had been established – solely for the purpose of receiving the stolen funds.
“At the direction of the Branch Managers – the funds were withdrawn and stolen – using forged documents of a Kenyan Passport number AK 0849025 and forged inter Account Transfer Forms -all in the names of Mohamed Abdul Hakim Hussein – one of the Company Directors and a signatory of the Account, of Nile Energy,” revealed Police Spokesman, Fred Enanga in a statement issued on Monday.
He added: “The suspects in conspiracy with selected Stanbic Bank staff – both at Garden City and Freedom City branches compromised the account of Nile Energy and effected transactions in Inter Account Transfers -IAT and made withdraws using three accounts that included; Account Number 9030012835107 in the names of Dixon Kagurusi Ampumuza; Account Number 9030021572615 in the names of Petrom Limited and A/No 9030018628871 in the names of Famane Investments Co. Ltd.”
At least seven cash withdrawals of $495,000, $287,000, $295,000, $90,000, $60.000, $295,000 and $495,000 were made by the suspects, purporting to be Mohamed Abdul Hakim Hussein – the Director of Nile Energy, while using forged documents, according to Enanga.
It was also established that Petron Limited belongs to a one Oscar Kyabukasa Lutaaya and Hashur Rahman – as the Directors, while Famane Investments Co. Ltd is co-owned by Oman Ghebreyesus, Fiona Dede Bwende and Elijah Daniel Wanzu as Directors – at Freedom City Branch and Garden City Branch.
“For instance, on January 24, 2023 – cash amounting to $295,000 was deposited onto A/C No. 9030018628871 in the name of Famane Investments Co. Ltd, from Nile Energy Account, which was withdrawn, against a cheque signed by Oman Ghebreyesus and Elijah Daniel Wanzu.
“An additional $250,000 was also withdrawn on the same day, and Ugx139m, deposited into A/C No. 9030019904244 in the name of Fiona Dede Bwende, who is also a Director of Famane Investments. “Another transaction of $782,000 was made from Nile Energy to an account of Petrom Ltd -whose Director Dixon Ampumuza Kagurusi is still on the run.
“The transfers were made in two instalments of $495.000 and $287.000, respectively – depositing into A/C No. 9030021572615 of Petrom Ltd, which money was withdrawn, immediately,” revealed the Enanga statement – adding that on the February 3, 2023 – a one Robert Tefera Okubalassie- an Eritrean Refugee, was intercepted with two Inter Account Transfer forms, with a face value of $988,200, that was to be effected from the Nile Energy account and thereafter, credited into an A/C No. in the name of Dixon Kagurusi Ampumuza, the Director of Petrom Ltd. The suspect also had in his possession, a Kenyan Passport Number AK 0849025 in the names of Mohamed Abduhakim Hussein, which prompted the bank to verify with the account holders, who denied any authorisations – leading to the arrest of the suspect – who was found with $4,900 and Ugx600, 000 in cash.
Enanga narrated that when the three Directors of Famane Investments Co. Ltd were arrested – they admitted to have received the stolen cash – used in a gold transaction of $250,000 with Mansoor and Sam Fred.
Enanga said efforts were underway to trace Dixon Ampumuza Kagurusi, the Director of Petrom Ltd, who is still in hiding.
