The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has cautioned landowners of fraudulent activities involving the issuance of fake title deeds.
In a statement dated Tuesday, December 3, the investigative agency cautioned that the fraudsters targeted landowners in the suburbs.
As revealed by the DCI, landowners who are seeking to enter into joint ventures with other individuals were the most vulnerable in the latest trend.
"The criminal enterprise sets in at a time when developers are approaching individuals with underdeveloped parcels of land, where the two parties agree on profitable terms for the development of the land," read the statement in part.
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"More often than not, the agreement will require the land owner to obtain certificates of lease, which has become the soft spot for the fraudsters."
DCI detailed that the fraudsters, often part of land cartels, then pose as Ministry of Land officials to con landowners of their hard-earned money.
The investigative agency cited a case in Nairobi, where a landowner lost over Ksh500,000 to a fraudster who was helping process land documents for two parcels of land.
DCI detectives were able to arrest the fraudster and was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on Monday, December 2.
"Notably, most of the suspects implicated in the case are renowned gold scammers, who have taken a break from that field and are testing the waters on this illicit venture. Luckily, they have been identified and the DCI Operations team is hot on their heels," DCI announced.
"Even as the probe into this grand scheme continues, land owners are cautioned to ensure due diligence whenever dealing with any land-related matters, given the emotive nature of land issues that often trigger regrettable consequences."
