Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a suspected ringleader of a land fraud scheme targeting landowners in Nairobi's suburbs.
In a statement on Saturday, December 14, DCI disclosed that the suspect, Brian Otiende Anyanga, in Buruburu, Nairobi, where he has been hiding since his accomplice was arrested two weeks ago.
"Detectives from the Operations Directorate have once again arrested serial fraud suspect Brian Otiende Anyanga, the supposed ring leader of a city cartel that has become the nightmare of land owners and developers around the Capital by issuing fake lease certificates while purporting to work at the Nairobi County Lands Registry.
"Brian's arrest comes barely two weeks since his accomplice, Lawrence Martins Ochieng, was arrested for his involvement in a land fraud case where a victim almost lost two prime parcels of land located in Nairobi's Pumwani area, after Brian's gang issued him with fake documents purporting to be genuine certificates of lease. Although the fraud was intercepted, the victim lost over Sh 553,000 to the machinations," DCI remarked.
According to the directorate, the suspect has an ongoing gold scam case and was out on bond but he will be arraigned again on Monday, December 16.
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His arrest comes after the DCI on December 2 cautioned landowners of fraudulent activities involving the issuance of fake title deeds.
The directorate disclosed that landowners who are seeking to enter into joint ventures with other individuals were the most vulnerable in the scam.
"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," DCI explained.
Meanwhile, the investigative agency has noted that several suspicious land documents that have been seized in the investigation are being subjected to scrutiny to determine whether officials at the Lands Registry conspired with the suspects.
