Kenyan Student Facing Deportation from Australia for Fleecing KSh 6.2 Million in Internet Pet Scam

 

Victor Muiruri, a Kenyan student abroad, has been handed a one-year jail term for his pivotal role in stealing thousands of dollars from clients. Image for illustration purposes. The former disability and aged care support worker was part of an elaborate internet scam that preyed on pet lovers, leaving them poorer. According to The West Australian, the 29-year-old is now facing deportation following the conclusion of his trial in WA's District Court.Details indicate that Muiruri did not create the fraudulent websites offering purebred puppies and kittens, but the ill-gotten money was deposited into his bank accounts. The court was told that the accused would transfer the funds, after taking a 10% cut, to bank accounts in Kenya through the international money transfer service, WorldRemit. Records indicate that Muiruri successfully laundered $38,569 (KSh 6.2 million), which had been scammed from 14 victims across Australia and overseas. Believing they were purchasing beloved pets, these individuals fell victim to the deceptive websites. Among the victims was a woman from Queensland who paid $2445 for a German shepherd puppy advertised on the "Elite Puppies Breeders" website. Another individual from Queensland paid $2350 for a puppy named Joey from the "Manson Poodle Home" website. A woman in Malaysia was also duped into paying $4320 for a kitten she saw on one of the fraudulent websites.  Muiruri pleaded not guilty The suspect was caught after one of the banks froze his account following a series of suspicious deposits and withdrawals. During the trial, Muiruri denied any awareness of the scam, claiming he believed the transactions were legitimate. "While you did not commit the fraud, you enabled the scammers to profit from their crimes," Judge John Staude said. The court learned that Muiruri was approached by a man named Kevin, allegedly part of an internet fraud operation in Kenya, to assist with fund transfers. Muiruri facing deportation In sentencing Muiruri to 12 months in jail, Judge Staude emphasized the aggravating factors, including the persistence of the offences over a two-month period in 2021. The judge also expressed concern over the significant amount of money involved and Muiruri's intent to profit from the proceeds of the fraud. Despite being eligible for release after serving 19 months in custody, Muiruri's visa status led to his detention by Australian Border Force officers.  He is now in a detention centre awaiting deportation. The news comes barely a week after Kapseret Constituency MP Oscar Sudi expressed worry over the growing trend of Kenyan students losing focus once they move abroad. Sudi was pained that parents sacrifice to send the youngsters for further studies, then they indulge in excessive drinking and partying, with some losing their lives. "Muache kutesa wazazi wenu na kijiji, kwa sababu tumepoteza watoto wengi, (Stop putting parents and villagers through grief, because we have lost many youngsters)," he lamented. 

by  Hillary Lisimba