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Sameer boss loses Sh10m to conmen mimicking Uhuru

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Sameer Africa chairman Naushad Merali. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Police are seeking to detain for 10 days seven men who allegedly conned Sameer Africa chairman Naushad Merali out of Sh10 million by pretending to be President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The seven taken to court on Monday were Joseph Waswa, Duncan Muchai, Isaac Wajekeche, William Simiyu, David Luganya, Gilbert Kirunja and Anthony Wafula.

It is alleged that they used mobile number 0722 208842 to call Mr Merali, who was outside the country at the time, asking him to facilitate the release of money for the purchase of land while mimicking the voice of the President.

They pretended the call was from State House in Nairobi.

Mr Merali then gave complainant Akif Hamid Butt, the finance director of Sameer Africa, the go-ahead to process the payment believing he had spoken to the head of State.

Mr Butt was told the money was for the purchase of land in Milimani, Nairobi, and the fraudsters gave him the number of an account at Equity Bank #ticker:EQTY, into which he deposited it.