Ben Bruce: How I was duped of $3.5m trying to buy cinema complex in Kenya

Ben Murray-Bruce, the founder of Silverbird Group, has recalled being scammed while trying to purchase a cinema complex in Kenya.

The former senator spoke on Thursday at the 4th Peace Anyiam-Osigwe Nigeria Digital Content Regulation Conference organised by the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).

Bruce said his South African partner defrauded him of $3.5 million when he attempted to purchase the cinema complex.

The 68-year-old business magnate said he transferred the funds, but his partner “deceitfully” registered the business under his own name, effectively cutting him out of the investment

“I was called to buy a cinema complex in Kenya for $3.5 million. I transferred the money, and my South African partner registered it in his name. That was how I lost that huge investment,” he said.

The politician also discussed ongoing legal battles involving his Los Angeles-based studio and a notable Hollywood actor.

Despite the setback, Murray-Bruce revealed his interest in movie production, stating that he’s working on a script to address fundamental societal issues.

“The entertainment industry is a very successful one. In all the things I have done, I have never made one move about movie making but now, I will,” he said.

“I am working on a script and I know we will get it right. We will deal with fundamental issues.

“When I began my career in Los Angeles in 1980s, I was always on the set of ‘Good Times’. And here is the irony, I should have began my career in film, not music.

“I knew what I wanted to do. I didn’t know how to get there, but I just knew I’d get there some kind of way, whether it was music or film.

“Coming back to Nigeria I kept thinking, we need to fix this. Today you’re promoting African music across the world. The world has changed.

“We are going into partnership with some of you here today. We will purchase a cinema chain in the world so we can show our movies with at least 1000 years. Nobody is going to give it to you. I have met all the major players on planet earth.

“We can seize the moment, and say, do we want to make $50 million in the box office? A $100 million in the box office? Is it rocket science? No. Is there a process? Yes. Is there a difference between a black man and a white man and a Chinese man and a Japanese man? No, the difference is the environment.”

Bruce, through his multimedia company Silverbird, established the Silverbird cinema in 1980.