The accused and others still at large convinced the investor to remit the funds, claiming it was necessary to cover declaration fees, government royalties, and documentation for the gold export.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with the Crime Investigations Department and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution have arraigned a Kenyan national before Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges of Obtaining Money by False Pretence and Conspiracy to Commit a Felony.
Court has identified the suspect as Elizabeth Esther Steenkamp, a Managing Director of Washa Lidjiwe Investments Limited. Steenkamp has been remanded until 28/10/2025.
It is alleged that between June and August 2025, at Plot 244 Bemba Road, Munyonyo, Makindye Division, Kampala District, Elizabeth Esther Steenkamp and others still at large, conspired to defraud American businessman Vladimir Toussaint Yvens of USD 255,650 under the pretext that they would facilitate the export of 46 kilograms of gold from Kampala, Uganda, to New York, USA.
The accused and others still at large convinced the investor to remit the funds, claiming it was necessary to cover declaration fees, government royalties, and documentation for the gold export.
However, despite receiving the funds, the gold was never exported, and the suspects reportedly ceased all communication with the investor.