A car dealer is at the centre of a multi-million-shilling scandal after allegedly duping a rival and disappearing with a luxury Range Rover valued at Sh33 million.

The suspect was arrested on Sunday following an elaborate con that involved posing as an interested buyer, before vanishing with the high-end vehicle in what police say was an attempt to settle a pending debt. He was presented before Kibera Court on Monday, where Magistrate Samson Temu allowed detectives to detain him for 14 days to complete investigations.

According to a miscellaneous application filed in court, police intends to charge the suspect with theft and false money acquisition.

The complainant, identified as Rashid Mohamed, told the police that the suspect had expressed interest in purchasing the car, which was initially priced at Sh34 million. On April 10, Mohamed referred the suspect to his sales manager at Alvis Motors along Ngong Road. The suspect requested to take the car to show a potential buyer, but the sales agent insisted on accompanying him.

Their first stop along Dennis Pritt Road bore no results, as the supposed buyer failed to appear. A second attempt on Friday led them to a restaurant along State House Road, where the suspect again claimed to have lined up a buyer.

As they waited for the mysterious client, the suspect excused himself to answer a phone call, only to sneak out and disappear with the vehicle. He allegedly delivered the car to Westlands, where an anonymous buyer who had already paid him Sh21 million was waiting.

The sales agent, upon realising the car was gone, filed a report at Kilimani Police Station. Officers later traced the suspect to Runda and found the vehicle parked in a Westlands yard.

Kilimani police commander Patricia Yegon, confirmed that investigations are ongoing and revealed similar allegations in the area.

“A team is pursuing the matter and will take the necessary action,” she said.

Written by: Stephanie Mukandairo, Radio 47