Fugitive Filipino Businesswoman Back in Kenya Despite Deportation Order Over Multimillion Car Dealership Fraud

Exclusive Investigation: Gala Liane Beth evaded authorities after fleeing to Tanzania, now operating new venture while on prohibited immigrants list

A Filipino businesswoman who fled Kenya to avoid deportation over allegations of defrauding a Japanese motor dealership of Sh40 million has quietly returned to the country and is believed to be operating under a new business setup, despite being declared persona non grata by immigration authorities.

Gala Liane Beth, who disappeared in August 2020 just before her scheduled deportation, managed to slip back into Kenya after a month-long stay in Tanzania, armed with a new Philippine passport valid until 2030.

Sources within the immigration department confirm she remains on the prohibited immigrants list, yet has successfully evaded capture for months while allegedly continuing business operations from Mombasa.

The case began when Beth arrived in Kenya in February 2019 as a purchasing and shipping manager for Orange Garage PTE Limited in Nairobi.

After resigning from her initial employer, she established Mottospot Limited and entered into a lucrative partnership with Japan-based World Navi Company Limited, facilitating the importation and sale of vehicles from Japan to the Kenyan market.

However, the business relationship soured dramatically when Beth abruptly terminated her contract with World Navi on April 1, 2020.

According to legal documents obtained by this investigation, the Japanese company accused her of stealing and selling their confidential customer database and pricing system to competitor IBC Auto, constituting a serious breach of her employment oath of confidentiality.

“This was after you had blatantly breached the oath of confidentiality by stealing and selling our client’s customer database and pricing system to IBC Auto who is our client’s competitor,” stated lawyer Paul Mwangi, representing World Navi in correspondence that led to the criminal complaint.

The situation escalated when World Navi reported to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations that Beth had failed to remit Sh40 million obtained from selling the company’s assorted vehicles.

The Japanese firm simultaneously notified immigration authorities that they were no longer responsible for her presence in Kenya, triggering the cancellation of her work permit.

Director Stanley Makombe of World Navi expressed frustration at the ongoing situation, stating, “We still hope to see her answer to her case. She defrauded a company of millions of shillings.”

Immigration officials initially detained Beth for deportation in August 2020, and she appeared cooperative, promising to purchase her own ticket and leave after undergoing mandatory Covid-19 testing.

However, in a calculated move that demonstrates premeditation, she used the purchased ticket not to return to the Philippines, but to flee to Tanzania instead.

“Instead, she bought a ticket and left for Tanzania where she stayed for a month before coming back to Kenya. We understand she is somewhere in Mombasa,” revealed an immigration official familiar with the investigation.

Director General of Immigration Evelyn Jepleting Cheluget  has issued a stern warning that Beth should not engage in any business activities within Kenya’s borders. “She should stay away from Kenya because she is a prohibited immigrant,” Jepleting emphasized, confirming her placement on the prohibited immigrants list.

Adding another layer to the investigation, the Central Bank of Kenya is probing a suspicious Sh10 million transfer Beth received from Singapore in July 2020.

The funds remain frozen in her DTB Bank account pending investigations into possible money laundering activities.

In a startling development that adds another dimension to this case, sources now reveal that Beth is currently operating as Africa’s marketing manager for IBC Auto, the very same Japanese company that World Navi accused her of selling stolen customer databases and pricing information to in 2020.

This employment relationship raises serious questions about IBC Auto’s due diligence processes and whether they were aware of her prohibited immigration status when hiring her for this continental role.

The implications for IBC Auto extend far beyond reputational damage, particularly under Kenya’s stringent Data Protection Act of 2019.

The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) has demonstrated its willingness to impose the maximum penalty of KES 5 million for data protection violations, and companies face fines of up to five million KES or 1% of their annual turnover, whichever is lower, for infringement of data protection provisions.

Given that World Navi’s original complaint specifically accused Beth of stealing and selling customer databases to IBC Auto, the Japanese company now finds itself in a precarious legal position.

Kenya’s Data Protection Commissioner has clarified that employers bear vicarious liability for employee data breaches, meaning IBC Auto could face substantial penalties not only for the original alleged data breach but also for continuing to employ an individual with a documented history of data theft.

The automotive industry in Kenya processes sensitive customer information including financial details, identification documents, and transaction records.

Under the Data Protection Act, affected individuals can claim compensation for financial, emotional, or reputational harm resulting from data breaches, potentially exposing IBC Auto to civil litigation from customers whose data may have been compromised during the original breach allegations.

The case raises serious concerns about immigration enforcement and the ease with which prohibited individuals can re-enter the country.

Beth’s ability to return with new documentation and continue operations highlights potential gaps in border security and database coordination between immigration checkpoints.

For potential business partners and customers, authorities warn that any dealings with Beth or entities connected to her operations could result in financial losses.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations continues to seek her whereabouts for questioning regarding the fraud allegations.

Immigration officials urge anyone with information about Beth’s current location or business activities to contact the nearest police station or immigration office.

Her case serves as a cautionary tale for the automotive import industry, where trust and financial integrity are paramount to legitimate business operations.

The investigation continues as authorities work to locate and deport Beth while pursuing justice for the alleged multimillion-shilling fraud that has left a Japanese company seeking answers and restitution for their substantial losses.