NAIROBI, Kenya — Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have successfully apprehended four individuals suspected of operating a sophisticated gold scam that has allegedly defrauded unsuspecting victims of millions of shillings.
The suspects, identified as Patroba Odhiambo Tobias, Isaac Forkay Sleyon, Omong Ekoume Louis, and Wadja Bangsi Tang, were taken into custody during a meticulously planned raid conducted by officers from the Operation Support Unit (OSU). The arrests occurred at a high-end residence located along Whispers Avenue in Gigiri, Nairobi.
The well-executed operation led to the discovery of various equipment and documents commonly associated with fraudulent gold dealings.
Among the items recovered at the scene were a gold smelting machine, a weighing scale, and numerous rubber stamps belonging to multiple logistics and trading companies, including Alaska Express Freight Group Ltd, Longcrane Logistics Limited, and Kakan Traders and Company.
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Detectives also seized plastic seals and documents bearing East African Community (EAC) insignias, further suggesting the involvement of an elaborate cross-border criminal network.
Preliminary findings have already established a link between one of the implicated companies, Alaska Express Freight Group Ltd, and a recent incident involving the defrauding of two Canadian nationals. The victims reportedly lost USD 37,500 in a gold-related transaction that went awry just last week.
DCI reports indicate that the suspects are currently in police custody as investigations into the extensive scam continue.
They are expected to be arraigned in court once the ongoing processing is complete.