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Actress Nicole arrested in Dar es Salaam over alleged pyramid scheme
What you need to know:
- Nicole was arrested on March 3, 2025, while attempting to travel to Lagos, Nigeria, through Julius Nyerere International Airport.
Dar es Salaam. Actress and businesswoman Joy Mbaga, alias known as Nicole Berry, is in police custody in Dar es Salaam on charges of fraudulently obtaining more than Sh100 million through illegal pyramid schemes.
In an interview with The Citizen's sister paper Mwananchi on March 5, 2025, Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander, Jumanne Muliro, confirmed that Nicole ,32 was arrested on March 3, 2025, while attempting to travel to Lagos, Nigeria, through Julius Nyerere International Airport.
“She is suspected of engaging in fraudulent activities by creating illegal online pyramid schemes. She allegedly formed fake groups and attracted people to invest. For example, a participant might contribute Sh100,000, only to be shown a group of 48 other participants, leading them to believe they would be the first, third, or tenth person to receive payment,” Muliro explained.
“The participants are led to believe they could earn substantial amounts overnight—sometimes as much as Sh4 million. However, these groups are fraudulent, with many fake members. In the end, the new participants are the ones being defrauded,” he added.
So far, more than 18 victims have filed complaints at the Oysterbay Police Station, with reports claiming that over Sh100 million has been fraudulently collected.
“We continue to receive reports from people who say they were swindled. She is currently in custody at the Oysterbay Police Station. My message to the public is to be cautious when engaging in online business transactions, especially with pyramid schemes. These are risky and often deceptive,” Muliro cautioned.
The allegations against Nicole have prompted varied reactions from legal experts on the possible consequences she could face if found guilty.
Lawyer John Mallya clarified that running a pyramid scheme is a criminal offense under Tanzanian law.
“The offense of fraudulently obtaining money through deceptive means carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison, with no option for a fine. However, under certain circumstances, a fine may be imposed depending on the specifics of the case,” Mallya said.
In addition, lawyer Fulgence Massawe emphasized that both participating in and operating pyramid schemes are illegal in Tanzania.
“Since investigations are still underway, it’s difficult to determine the exact charges she faces. However, it is clear that pyramid schemes are criminal activities in Tanzania, and participating in them can also lead to legal consequences,” Massawe explained.
“People who are defrauded by such schemes often find it hard to report the crime because, in many cases, they too are seen as perpetrators. Ultimately, charges related to pyramid schemes and economic sabotage can result in prison sentences of 20 to 30 years. For now, we must wait for the police investigation to unfold before determining her exact punishment,” he concluded.
