Three individuals were apprehended by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Runda, Nairobi, in connection with a suspected fake gold scam. The suspects, including a security guard and two women, were planning to deceive a foreigner out of Ksh 5 million. Reports suggest that these individuals may have influential connections, possibly involving a senator.
The arrest took place at a luxurious residence in Runda, where law enforcement officers discovered 16 boxes containing counterfeit U.S. dollars and phony gold bars, intended to be used as part of the fraud.
The DCI’s intervention followed a complaint from a South African national who had allegedly purchased 30 kilograms of gold, intended for transportation to Dubai from Sierra Leone, passing through Kenya. However, the gold buyer received information claiming that his gold had been confiscated upon arrival in Nairobi.
Subsequently, the foreigner traveled to Kenya to address the issue with authorities. Upon arrival, he encountered an individual posing as a customs official. The victim stated, “I saw the consignment, my signature was on the consignment exactly as I signed in Sierra Leone.” He remains uncertain about the recovery of his gold but is eager for the investigation to proceed.
The victim is now urging law enforcement to expedite the inquiry and hold those involved in the scam accountable. He believes that the detained suspects could provide valuable information about the whereabouts of the gold and how it entered and exited Kenya.
It has been reported that these fraudulent activities often involve organized groups collaborating with influential politicians to defraud unsuspecting victims. There have been multiple instances where foreigners were deceived into purchasing counterfeit gold, resulting in significant financial losses.
In a similar incident this year, a U.S. citizen working as a manager in Dallas, Texas, was defrauded of Ksh 25.5 million by Kenyan scammers operating from Mlolongo, Machakos County.
