In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- Influencer Pascaline Peter (Passy Ma Trevor) and her co-accused face charges for defrauding 79 people of Ksh.80 million in a fake investment scheme promising high returns.
- Both pleaded not guilty; the court will decide on bond release on November 13, 2024.
Popular online influencer Pascaline Peter, known as Passy Ma Trevor, has been charged with fraud after allegedly obtaining Ksh.80 million from 79 individuals under false pretenses.
The 36-year-old self-styled businesswoman appeared in the Makadara Law Courts in Nairobi on Thursday, alongside her co-accused George Mutual Mutunga, alias Iman, who is also implicated in the scheme.
According to a statement from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) posted on X, the two suspects enticed unsuspecting investors with promises of a 23.5% monthly return on their investments, only to vanish with the funds.
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“Prosecuting Counsel Ms. Kaaria Joy Kawira informed the court that the accused persons secured over Ksh.80 million from 79 complainants by misleading them into believing the funds would yield a monthly interest return, a claim they knew was false,” part of the ODPP’s statement read.
The alleged fraud took place between March 3, 2023, and August 30, 2024, at undisclosed locations within Kenya.
Additionally, both suspects face charges for running an unlicensed collective investment scheme in violation of regulations established by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
The ODPP stated that between these dates, the accused presented themselves as the legitimate proprietors of the Passy Ma Trevor investment scheme, operating as a collective investment scheme without a valid license.
Appearing before Makadara Court Principal Magistrate Erick Mutunga, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution opposed their release on bond, citing potential risks.
“In an affidavit opposing bond, investigating officer Justin Mutwiri noted that the accused went into hiding when the complainants sought returns on their investments and later turned off their phones. It took extensive intelligence efforts from multiple agencies to locate and apprehend them in Machakos County,” the ODPP disclosed.
The investigating officer further argued that the suspects could interfere with key witnesses, lack a fixed address, and pose a flight risk.
The victims’ legal representative also appealed to the court to deny bond. The court is set to decide on November 13, 2024, whether the pair will be granted bond.
Passy Ma Trevor was initially arrested on September 12 for allegedly defrauding Kenyans of Ksh.350 million in a supposed real estate investment venture, which authorities believe was a Ponzi scheme.
She was apprehended in Kantafu, Machakos County, taken to Kasarani Police Station, and arraigned the following day.
Police reports reveal that she operated a money-lending institution in violation of the Banking Act, without proper documentation.
The Makadara Law Courts subsequently issued a 30-day custodial order to facilitate ongoing investigations.