August 15, 2019

Wealth Conference Scam Organizers Expected 500 People, Instead More Than 5,000 Showed Up


Trustworthy and indepth news stories are more important now than ever.
Support our newsroom by MAKING A CONTRIBUTION HERE
Before the “conference” turned rowdy, the mood around was normal like any of the global events that take place at the KICC; posters and delegates mingling around. All that was about to explode in the next few minutes

The Rwanda Investigations Bureau (RIB) found that the now infamous “wealth conference” scam organizers were also shocked to see such a large number of people had showed up.

As has been widely reported by The Chronicles, on the morning of June 25, up to 6,000 Rwandans, mainly youths, converged at the iconic Kigali International Convention Center. Some had ever only seen on it TV or heard about it on radio.

This multitude of people had come to attend a “Money, Business and Wealth Conference”. It had flashy posters all over the venue.

Now President Paul Kagame has finally weighed in the saga, saying it showed there was a serious problem with the country’s youth – who make up more than 70% of the population.

“Investigations have found that the organisers had planned for 500 people promising false riches, but instead at the Convention Center, 5,000 youth showed up,” said Kagame at a youth forum yesterday.

“And when the organizers realised that all these people were willing to pay, they laid their bags to collect the money. How can our youth be so naïve? Some had nothing and had borrowed the money to pay.”

Security personnel at the gate on the fateful day, overwhelmed, let everyone in. Amid the chaos, not sure what was going to happen, the Radisson Blu Hotel, which was paid Rwf4m for venue, called the police. RIB agents and their boss were on site in minutes.

Hours later, 14 Rwandans and 3 Kenyans were arrested – some from the venue and others like Dr Kinuthia in hotel room, by RIB agents.

More than two weeks later, all the Kenyans and one Rwandan were charged in court with fraud, holding illegal meeting and a host of other charges. The rest were freed.

Inside the venue on the fateful day

Kagame said yesterday: “How can our youth be so naïve: to be so easily willing to fall for such scams of wealth they have not struggled for. An event of such a magnitude is organized, nobody is aware, and our young people enthusiastically rush to pay. There is a serious problem.”

Apart from key organizer Dr Charles Kinuthia, the others Kenyans charged are females: Vivian KHISA MUKWHAN and Rachel Matipei. The Rwandan national is Muhamad Niyonkuru, who is said to as have been the one that received early payments via his phone, as many paid using Mobile Money.

Kagame said the suspects included a Kenyan national he did not name as the prime organiser, and were all facing prosecution.

Commenting on a Twitter campaign that has been ongoing since Monday calling for release of the Kenyans, Kagame yesterday wondered whether social media had turned itself into the judge.

We can't do quality journalism without your support

Perhaps it goes without saying — but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. At a time when newsroom resources and revenue are declining, The Chronicles remains committed to "Serving Your Right To Know The Truth". Stand with us as we document Rwanda's remarkable journey for you and the future generation. Do you value our journalism? We can't do it without you. Show us with your support by CONTRIBUTING HERE.
Email your news TIPS to info@chronicles.rw or WhatsApp +250788351327.
You can also find us on Signal

68 Comments

  1. Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break.

    I really like the info you present here and can’t wait
    to take a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how fast
    your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G ..
    Anyhow, good blog!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *