A business deal that began with trust and high expectations has turned into a nightmare for two Chinese investors who were allegedly defrauded by a Kenyan businesswoman, Beatrice Mwanza Omurana.
Beatrice falsified important paperwork, stole their money, and disappeared without a trace, according to the investors, who had teamed up with her to export beef to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Speaking to the press in Nairobi, Vivian Gui and her business partner Hao Hua Wu detailed how their relationship with Beatrice began in August 2024.
In order to procure goats from Neema Slaughterhouse and export them to the United Arab Emirates, they consented to give Beatrice a forty percent share in the company.
“We came to Kenya to invest in the meat export business, which was supposed to be a joint venture between my partners and Beatrice. But after paying her $216,226 (approximately Ksh 30 million), she disappeared and has been avoiding all contact. She is avoiding meeting Chinese investors and letting us wait for her endlessly,” said Vivian Gui, one of the affected Chinese investors.
The meat export company was intended to be a joint venture between Beatrice and my partners, so we travelled to Kenya to make an investment.
After meeting with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Vivian recounted the incidents and shared her shock at being duped.
She clarified that they had given Beatrice money and even made her a shareholder since they had fully believed her, only to learn too late that everything was a scam.
The attitude was mirrored by her business partner, Hao Hua Wu, who emphasised that the scale of the fake was much greater than they had anticipated.
He promised to seek justice and make sure those at fault are subject to the full weight of the law.
The complaint was filed in mid-January 2025 under OB number 52 after the investors brought it to the attention of the Lucky Summer Police Station.
She explained they had trusted Beatrice completely, giving her money and even making her a shareholder, only to discover too late that everything was a fraud.
Her business partner, Hao Hua Wu, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the extent of the forgery was far beyond anything they had imagined.
He vowed to pursue justice and ensure those responsible face the full force of the law.
With high hopes in their new venture, Vivian and Hao had transferred six payments, amounting to $216,226, to Beatrice for the purchase of livestock and operational expenses.
However, as time passed, discrepancies emerged.
The promised shipments never materialized, and their Kenyan partner became elusive.
As suspicions grew, the investors sought help from the Neema Livestock and Slaughtering Investments Limited.
The company later confirmed that Beatrice had no legitimate association with them, and the documents she presented were forged.
On January 21, 2025, Hajj Bonaya Bakata, the Managing Director of Neema Livestock, wrote to the Banking Fraud Investigation Unit under the Central Bank of Kenya, requesting a thorough investigation into the fraudulent activities involving Beatrice Mwanza Omurana.
According to the official complaint, the fraud was orchestrated using forged documents that included falsified company logos, signatures, and contracts, misrepresenting Neema Livestock’s involvement in the deal.
The report stated that the last time Beatrice contracted slaughter services from Neema Livestock was on February 21, 2022, meaning her claims of an active partnership were fabricated.
Neema Livestock also filed a separate complaint against Beatrice for defamation, stating that the misrepresentation had tarnished the company’s reputation and caused confusion in the industry.
The company urged the Banking Fraud Investigation Unit to take swift and decisive action, identify all parties involved, and ensure justice is served.
“We are committed to cooperating fully with the authorities in their investigations and providing any necessary documents, evidence, or help required,” Hajj Bonaya Bakata stated.
Law enforcement officials have since launched a manhunt for Beatrice Mwanza Omurana, whose current whereabouts remain unknown.
Investigators are also looking into whether she acted alone or had accomplices in carrying out the fraud.
This incident highlights the dangers of fraudulent business dealings, especially in international investments, where trust and financial transparency are crucial.
It also serves as a cautionary tale for foreign investors, urging them to conduct thorough background checks and implement strong legal safeguards before entering into business agreements.
As the search for Beatrice Mwanza Omurana continues, Vivian and Hao remain hopeful that the Kenyan authorities will bring her to justice.
However, the reality of recovering their lost millions remains uncertain.
