Nairobi detectives have apprehended 31 suspects linked to a fake gold scam that bilked two Dubai-based businessmen out of nearly USD 40,000.
The arrests took place in multiple locations across Nairobi, including Runda, Ridgeways, and the Industrial Area, following a thorough investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The suspects allegedly masqueraded as legitimate gold dealers, presenting coated base metals as genuine gold to deceive the victims during several business meetings throughout September 2024.
Under false pretenses, they convinced the businessmen to enter into a deal involving 35 kg of gold. However, after numerous trips to Kenya and delays in the export process, the victims became wary of the operation and eventually reported the fraud to the DCI.
This prompted a swift and coordinated response from the DCI Operations Directorate, which, supported by the Operations Support Unit, executed raids on identified locations, resulting in a substantial seizure of evidence.
Police recovered four motor vehicles, metal boxes containing fake gold nuggets and bars, counterfeit stamps, and other paraphernalia, all of which are now secured as exhibits.
Among the arrested suspects is Nashon Otieno Angudha, alleged to be the ringleader of the fraud syndicate. Angudha has a troubling criminal history, with two existing cases in court for similar offenses.
One case, scheduled for mention at the Milimani Law Courts, centers around conspiracy to defraud under section 317 of the penal code. Another, involving charges of robbery with violence, stems from an incident where victims of a related gold scam were attacked, robbed, and sexually assaulted.
