Three individuals suspected of running a fake gold scam have been arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Nairobi. The suspects—Martha Mwikali Katumo, James Mwenda, and Calvin Onyango Magak—were apprehended at the White Pearl apartments in Westlands after allegedly defrauding two unsuspecting businessmen of Ksh. 51.6 million (approximately USD 400,000).
During the raid, detectives uncovered 10.2 kilograms of fake gold pellets and a weighing machine. According to the DCI, preliminary investigations revealed that the businessmen were introduced to the suspects by a Namibian national, leading to a meeting over coffee that initiated a fraudulent business deal.
The scam allegedly involved another individual who posed as a mines and geology expert, claiming to have tested the first consignment of 5 kilograms of gold and certified it as genuine. The suspects also involved Euromax Global Shipping and Logistics, a company owned by a man named Maxwel, who purportedly facilitated the shipment process to Dubai.
One of the victims traveled to Dubai with Martha, expecting a successful transaction that never materialized. Upon arriving in Dubai and paying all the expenses, including air tickets, the victim realized they had been scammed, and their investment was lost.
The DCI has urged the public to exercise caution when investing in gold, as fraudulent dealers are increasingly active in Nairobi.
