Detectives in Nairobi have arrested 11 suspects who allegedly defrauded a victim of Ksh.70.6 million (USD 546,000) in a fraudulent gold scheme.
The suspects included seven Kenyans and four foreign nationals, namely Nfundiko Kamira and Lukabaya Mulamba, both Congolese and Ibrahim Nzamgou and Mike Fouapon from Cameroon.
The seven Kenyans are Allan Zephaniah Onyango, Nicodemus Okoth, Phillip Onyango, Elmad Ochola, Shem Omollo, Edward Leonard Ochieng, and James Jeremiah Akumu.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the 11 were nabbed after sleuths got wind of their gold scamming syndicate, where they had been defrauding unsuspecting victims.
Detectives acting on a tipoff trailed and smoked them out of their hideout in Spring Valley estate, where 350 kilograms of fake gold, an electronic gold tester machine, a dust coat bearing the Ministry of Mining logo and other exhibits were seized.
“Upon search, detectives recovered a haul of fake gold weighing 305kg, along with a weighing machine and an electronic gold tester, commonly known as a Tester Gun. Also recovered were assorted documents and a dust coat bearing the Ministry of Mining logo, which the suspects are believed to be using to gain the trust of unsuspecting individuals while executing their fraudulent schemes,” DCI noted.
The suspects have since been detained at the Capitol Hill Police Station, pending their arraignment.
Meanwhile, the seized items are safely secured as exhibits, as detectives delve deeper into what appears to be an elaborate, well-networked scam.
