Nairobi, Kenya – October 15, 2025
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested two suspects accused of orchestrating a KSh720 million (USD 5.6 million) fake gold trade scam targeting an American businesswoman in Nairobi.
According to the DCI, the suspects — Michael Otieno Onyango and Andrew Clifford Otieno — lured the foreign investor into a fraudulent deal to purchase 70 kilograms of gold.
The woman, however, grew suspicious and requested a verification test at the Ministry of Mining before proceeding with the transaction. Although the suspects initially agreed, they later failed to show up for the test, raising further doubts.
A second meeting was later arranged, and the woman was picked up from Yaya Centre in Kilimani by a man claiming to be an associate of the dealers. She was instead driven to Rose Villa Estate, where the two suspects awaited her.
“As negotiations began, the scammers attempted to pressure her to finalize the deal, but when she refused, they panicked and fled,” the DCI reported.
Police swiftly pursued and intercepted the suspects, driving them back to the Rose Villa Estate residence, where detectives conducted a thorough search.
During the raid, officers recovered two smelting machines and nineteen smelting moulds, believed to have been used to stage fake gold operations.
The two suspects are currently in custody and will be arraigned in court once investigations are complete.
DCI Warns of Rising Fake Gold Scams
The DCI has since cautioned foreign investors and businesspeople against engaging with unverified dealers, noting that fake gold syndicates continue to operate in Nairobi and other major cities.
“We urge investors to verify the legitimacy of traders through the Ministry of Mining and relevant agencies before committing to such high-value transactions,” the DCI added.
