Detectives in Nairobi have arrested 11 individuals in connection with a high-level gold scam in which a victim was defrauded of Ksh.70.6 million (approximately USD 546,000).
The suspects include seven Kenyan nationals and four foreign nationals. The foreigners were identified as Nfundiko Kamira and Lukabaya Mulamba from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ibrahim Nzamgou and Mike Fouapon from Cameroon.
The Kenyan suspects 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 group was part of a sophisticated gold scamming syndicate that has been targeting unsuspecting investors with promises of lucrative gold deals.
Acting on a tip-off, detectives tracked the suspects to a residence in Nairobi’s upscale Spring Valley estate, where they were arrested.
During the operation, police recovered 305 kilograms of counterfeit gold, an electronic gold tester (commonly referred to as a tester gun), a weighing scale, and a dust coat branded with the Ministry of Mining logo. The dust coat and other official-looking documents were reportedly used to lend legitimacy to the scam and gain the trust of victims.
The DCI noted that the gang had set up a convincing front, complete with professional equipment and documentation, to deceive victims into believing they were engaging in a genuine gold trade. Investigations are ongoing as authorities seek to uncover the full extent of the syndicate’s operations and identify additional victims.
