Childhood Friend Defrauded Sh2.8 Million in Fake Marriage Ploy

Noel Akivembe, 51, and Mildred Lujiri, 49, who once shared an unbreakable bond, now find themselves embroiled in a bitter feud that has captivated the attention of authorities and the public alike.

According to police investigations and court documents, the crux of the matter lies in Ms Lujiri's alleged scheme to defraud her childhood friend, Ms Akivembe, of millions of shillings. Capitalizing on Ms Akivembe's ardent desire to find a lifelong partner, Ms Lujiri is accused of orchestrating an elaborate ruse that involved linking her friend to Mr Daniel Ochieng, purportedly a potential suitor. The intricately woven web of deceit, as outlined by detectives, involved Ms Lujiri arranging a meeting between Ms Akivembe and the supposed Mr Ochieng, whom she claimed was a relative.

This initial encounter laid the groundwork for a series of calculated 'misfortunes' that Mr Ochieng would allegedly endure, including contracting COVID-19, sustaining a spinal injury, and even facing imprisonment in a foreign land – all meticulously designed to compel Ms Akivembe to transfer funds under the guise of assisting her potential lover. In her statement to the authorities, Ms Akivembe recounts her brief encounter with the man introduced as Mr Ochieng through her trusted friend, Ms Lujiri, in May 2021. Little did she know that this meeting would mark the beginning of a journey fraught with deception and heartbreak.

According to the authorities, it appears that Ms Lujiri had skillfully manipulated Ms Akivembe's emotional vulnerability, leading her to believe that Mr Ochieng harboured genuine romantic intentions. However, as the investigation unfolded, it became evident that this supposed courtship was nothing more than an intricate ploy devised by Ms Lujiri to exploit her friend's trust and obtain financial gain. The man whose images were mistakenly linked to Mr Ochieng firmly denied any association with Ms Lujir or the alleged scam. Police investigations revealed that this individual is a political figure.

Following a two-year investigation, authorities apprehended Ms Lujiri at her Nairobi residence on May 24th, 2024. She was arraigned in court three days later on charges of conspiracy to defraud Ms Akivembe through M-Pesa transfers amounting to Sh2,869,287 between August 5th, 2021, and August 17th, 2022. Ms. Lujiri pleaded not guilty and was released on a Sh1 million bond. The next court hearing is scheduled for June 11th, 2024.