14 arrested over fake gold

Fourteen (14) people including; Congolese and a Cameroonian, have been rounded up by security agencies for allegedly conning a Chinese investor with suspected fake gold.

Star Yang a Chinese national was lured to travel to Uganda with the prospect of buying gold. Upon reaching Uganda, he was linked to one James Byaruhanga (40) aka Governor who said he had a company which deals in gold.

It's alleged that Yang was showed two genuine gold bars which were subjected to test by a one Sayid Musanji, was asked to deposit $83000 (Shs318m) and then promised to return on following Monday to pick up the ready gold bar consignment.

On failure to provide the investor with the agreed gold bars, he then sought for assistance from authorities and a theft report was filed against them alleging he was defrauded.

Upon search at their premises, suspects were found in illegal possession of G4S Private security organisation uniforms, 100 kilograms of suspected fake gold, weighing scales and gold testing machines.

The suspects include; James Byaruhanga 40, a resident of Kabowa, Patrick Ndenzi 21(Congolese),Boniface Munagabe 34, Frank Ngabirano 33, Ummo Amati 38 and Mike Lota 43.

Other suspects include; Walter Adenyo, Fred Ndayi 16, John Tumukunde 20, Robert Sseguya 30, Bruce Kamugisha 33, Junior Okungi and Sayid Musanji.

“The gold samples are to be taken to the Government Analytical Laboratory for testing and suspects would be charged with theft of found guilty,” Kampala Metropolitan Police statement reads.

The suspects are currently detained at Kabalagala Police Station pending arraignment in court of law.

Utility

Former Kampala Lord Mayor aspirant Muhammad Kasule was recently charged with obtaining money by false pretense when he conned a senior presidential assistant in charge of diaspora issues Florence Kiremerwa, and her business partner Richard Richards of huge sums of money after promising to sell them two kilogrammes of gold which never was.

In January, Police rounded up five suspected con men at Makerere University believed to be behind a $200,000 (about Shs 735 million) gold deal scam. The suspects allegedly conned out of Assi Soubhi up to $200,000 about 3 years ago. Soubhi is a resident of Bogota, in Colombia and a dealer in rare and precious gemstones.