An Italian national, Girola Fiorenzo, testified in a Kilifi court detailing how he was swindled Ksh 15 million by two fellow Italians in a fraudulent villa purchase in Watamu. Fiorenzo’s testimony revealed how he fell victim to a well-orchestrated scheme involving Daniele Lo Coco and Massimo Nativi, managers of Rafiki Village in Watamu.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate James Mwaniki, Fiorenzo recounted that his ordeal began during his 2019 visit to Kenya for a holiday in Mombasa, later traveling to Watamu, where he stayed at Rafiki Village. It was there he met the accused, who convinced him to purchase a villa within the property.
The agreement to buy the villa was formalized on February 29, 2020, at Lo Coco’s residence in Italy. The agreed price was €120,000, translating to approximately Ksh 15 million at the time. Fiorenzo paid a deposit of €5,000 in cash and committed to completing the payment within a year.
Payments Made, Documents Withheld
According to Fiorenzo, payments were made in installments, starting with €15,000 in March 2020, transferred to Lo Coco’s DTB Bank account in Malindi. He later made payments totaling €75,000 in subsequent transactions, including a final deposit of €5,000 in February 2021. Despite fulfilling the agreed payment, ownership documents for the villa were never issued.
“I made my last payment on February 24, 2021, through Lo Coco’s DTB Bank account in Watamu. However, to date, I have not received any ownership documents,” Fiorenzo told the court.
The defense, led by lawyer Kinyua Kamundi, accused Fiorenzo of providing false information to police regarding the amount involved. Fiorenzo vehemently denied the accusation, maintaining his account of the payments and the fraudulent scheme.
The Fraudulent Scheme
The accused, Lo Coco and Nativi, are charged with multiple counts of fraud. In the first count, they are alleged to have defrauded another Italian national, Rita Nappo, of Ksh 17 million between August 30, 2018, and August 1, 2019, under the pretense of subleasing Villa 5A. The villa, located on plot Kilifi Jimba 1544, was falsely represented as available for sublease.
In the second count, Lo Coco and Nativi are accused of defrauding Fiorenzo of Ksh 15 million between March 2020 and February 2021, pretending they could sublease Villa 4B on the same plot.
The court heard that both villas were located on land measuring approximately 0.327 hectares, and the accused knew their claims were false.
Court Orders and Travel Restrictions
In a recent court session, Chief Magistrate Mwaniki ordered the accused to surrender their passports, citing concerns they were planning to leave the country. This followed an attempt to align their travel itinerary with the court proceedings, which Mwaniki described as an effort to influence the judicial process.
The hearing, scheduled to continue, will see further examination of evidence and testimonies as the court seeks justice for the victims.
A Cautionary Tale
The case has raised awareness about fraudulent real estate schemes targeting foreigners in Kenya. Legal experts urge potential investors to exercise due diligence, verify ownership documents, and consult legal professionals before entering property transactions.
As the trial progresses, Fiorenzo and other victims hope for a resolution that will serve as a deterrent against similar crimes in the future.
