CRIME WARNING: Criminal Syndicate from Congo and Zambia Scamming Foreigners in Fraudulent Gold Scam

WARNING: Congolese-Zambian Gold Scam/ Syndicate (2019)

Scam:  Using ‘sales agents’ in Lusaka to vouch for them as legitimate, the Syndicate run by Francisco and Alexis Kitenge family claims to have gold mines in DRC (Congo) (Lubumbashi).  The Kitenge family syndicate are seeking money to export Hundreds of Kg of raw gold bars to markets in Middle East (DUBAI) or Eastern Europe (TURKEY).  The Kitenge family syndicate claims that they face export fees of more than $100,000 to export the ‘gold’, and seek victims to pay these fees and in exchange they will consign the gold to you as their agent at a reduced market price so you can process and sell at market the gold on their behalf.  Gold bars shown as samples are fake, XRF guns are rigged, etc.  Bars are actually brass (Mixture of copper, zinc and other metals to appear gold in color).  Bars will be ‘shipped’ (scam) to Dubai, Kenya, Abu Dhabi, or other locations and allegedly held up in customs until further fees or penalties are paid.  Bars never leave shipping facilities, never reach their destination and get ’returned’ to DRC or Zambia shipping companies who have liens for shipping costs and fees.  No valid Airway Bill is ever produced to Consignee. Original money not returned and they will keep demanding more money until you refuse to pay (then they will claim they cannot complete the contract due to lack of funding).  This scam is a violation of Zambian & International (including United States) Law.  

Francisco Kitenge and Alexis Kitenge have been arrested for Obtaining Money ($132,000 USD) by False Pretence contrary to Sec. 309 of the Penal Code Chap. 87 of the Laws of Zambia.  Prosecutor Noah Mwanza of the National Prosecution Authority, mobile ph. (260) 097-715-7057.  Court appearance date 27 Mar 2020, Subordinate Court Lusaka SC Crim No. 33, NPA Case D7617/02-2020. 

Perpetrators/Syndicate Members/AIDERS AND ABETTERS:  Francisco (a/k/a Francesco, Francois, d/b/a Kimono Mining Group SARL-DRC) Kitenge (Zambia Passport No. ZN461283), n/k/a Francesco Pibe de Oro, Khonde Kanda Philipe (Uncle “Adolphe”)(Congo Passport No. OP0048211), Samual Kitenge (a/k/a Alexis, Aleco Mulenda)(Zambia Passport No. ZN460658), Dominic  Iwinjika (d/b/a Qayshaun International Zambia Ltd),  Alexis Tudwa Kitenge, Sr., Tundwa Kitenge, Bertha Ntembeni, Patrick Mwandabala, Tonny Kadima (a/k/a “Uncle Tonny”), Mamba Diangenda Francois, Brian Mwiinga, Theodore Kalunda Muteba (d/b/a Katanga Mining & Trading Co.), Mwaka Favard (Francisco’s Fiancee), William Mwinga, Gold trader named “Max”, Dubai Customs agent (fake) named “Mohammed”, Amos Phiri , Kitenge Family Foundation 

Elements of fraud

• Unlawfulness-the wrong action must be seen in the eyes of society.
• Misrepresentation –may take the form of words or failure to disclose certain information in circumstances where there is a duty to do so.
• Intent- the person making the misrepresentation must have intention to deceive, defraud or foreseeing that the victim would be deceived.

Types of fraud

• Financial fraud

Fraud

• Fraud can be defined as the wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal loss to one party and gain to the other party, ora deliberate misrepresentation which causes another to suffer damage usually monetary loss. 
• It can also be defined as a deceitful conduct designed to manipulate another person by cheating or concealing truth with a view of gaining something of value.
• To receive and analyses all financial crimes reported by various complainants.
• To investigate and establish the truth in all financial crimes reported to the unit.
• To arrest offenders and take them before the competent courts of law so that justice may prevails.
• Enhancement of cooperation’s with other security wings on all matters relating to financial and cybercrimes.
• Liaising with other countries in matters relating to financial and cybercrimes through our Interpol.
• Educating the general members of the public about the dangers of cybercrimes.
• To report the examinations results accurately and completely.

Such crimes are mostly committed by well educated people working as a syndicate and are usually referred to as ‘white collar crimes’. In most instances, rewards from fraud are much greater.

Warning-Do not pay these scammers any money for ‘gold’ or related export fees.  If approached by them, or if you have been a victim of any of these perpetrators, report the activity to the Zambia Police Department, Director in Charge of Criminal Investigations Musonda, Ph. +260 96 6712764. Or contact the Anti-fraud Unit of the ZP: http://www.zambiapolice.gov.zm/index.php/101-directorates/criminal-investigations?start=7

Francisco Kitenge

Khonde Philippe

Alexis Kitenge

Dominic Iwinjika

Fake Gold Storage

Fake Gold Storage and Shipping

Alexis

Syndicate members Francisco, Adolphe & Alexis

William Mwinga

“Max”

Theodore  Kalunda

Tonny Kadima

“Mohammed”

Bertha Ntembini

Patrick Mwandabala

Francisco and Mohammed

Francisco and Alexis

Francisco

Francisco

 Max

Mwaka Favard

Francisco and Alexis

 William Mwinga (on right)

 Bertha Ntembeni-Sales Agent

Alexis

Fake gold bars

Counterfeit money

Fake certificates

Fake documents

 Fake document

Qayshaun Company headquarters (no such company registered in Zambia)

 Guy in middle is “Uncle Adolphe”

Patrick Mwabandala

Theodore “Theo” Kalunda Muteba

Dominic and Alexis

 Fake XRF gun

 Ministry of Mines XRF gun

Fake “General” (Alexis claims to be son) who supposedly own the Phoenix Mine

Storage facility where fake gold kept and shown 

Fake trading permits

If you have been victimized, report the crime to the FBI.