Online influencers Pascaline Peter alias Passy Ma Trevor and George Mutua Mutunga alias Imran were on Thursday charged at the Makadara Law Courts with the offence of obtaining Ksh80 million from the public.
The two appeared before Principal Magistrate Erick Mutunga at the Makadara Law Courts after they were accused of scamming Kenyans with promises of investing with them for 23.5 per cent monthly return.
According to prosecuting Counsel Kaaria Joy Kawira, the two scammed 79 complainants and obtained ksh80 million between March 3, 2023, and August 30, 2024, at unknown places within the country.
The two were also accused of carrying out the business without a valid business license from either the Capital Markets Authority or the Central Bank of Kenya. They were also accused of conspiracy to defraud contrary to section 317 of the penal code.
“On diverse dates between March 3, 2023, and August 30 of the following year, the accused persons represented as genuine sole proprietors of Passy Ma Trevor investment scheme carried out a business as a collective investment scheme without a valid license,” read part of the statement by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Both of the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court also denied their appeal for bond pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Investigating officer Justin Mutwiri told the court that as soon as the complainants started to ask for a refund, the accused persons went into hiding and switched off their mobile phones.
Some of the individuals who had been defrauded filed a joint complaint with the DCI, prompting a manhunt for the once-respected businesswoman and HIV activist.
The police undertook an intensive investigation and used intelligence tactics from different agencies to smoke them from their hideouts deep inside Machakos County.
The officers asked the court not to grant them bail because they were likely to interfere with major witnesses, didn’t have a fixed abode, and were a flight risk.
The matter will be mentioned on November 13, when the court is to determine whether the accused persons will be released on bail or not.
Passy MaTrevor was arrested on Thursday, September 12 after going into hiding for two weeks. A joint operation between DCI investigators and authorities from Kasarani led to her arrest.
She had been accused of leading a lavish life, flaunting an expensive lifestyle while her victims reeled in anguish.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE