NAIROBI, KENYA — A sophisticated gold scamming syndicate that has been defrauding unsuspecting individuals has been dismantled by Kenyan detectives.
An operation conducted by officers from the Nairobi Regional Criminal Investigations office resulted in the arrest of eleven suspects and the seizure of 350 kilograms of counterfeit gold.
This significant breakthrough followed a report from a victim who was defrauded of USD546,000 (Sh70,652,400) in a deceptive gold scheme.
Acting on this crucial information, detectives initiated a thorough investigation. Following credible intelligence, they located the suspects’ hideout in the Spring Valley estate of Nairobi.
A subsequent search of the premises led to the discovery of 305 kilograms of imitation gold, a weighing scale, and an electronic gold verification device commonly known as a “tester gun.”
Furthermore, investigators recovered documents and a dust coat bearing the Ministry of Mining logo, indicating that the suspects were potentially using these items to build trust with potential victims and lend credibility to their fraudulent activities.
The arrested individuals comprise a multi-national group, including seven Kenyan citizens, two Congolese citizens, and two citizens of Cameroon.
All eleven suspects are currently in custody at the Capitol Hill Police Station, where processing is underway.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has indicated that the suspects are expected to face arraignment in court in the near future.
The counterfeit gold and other confiscated items are being held as key evidence as detectives continue their investigation into what appears to be a well-organized and extensive scamming network.
