Detectives in Kilimani have apprehended two individuals accused of orchestrating a cryptocurrency fraud scheme that saw a Chinese national lose Ksh6.5 million.
In a statement on Friday, February 28, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspects, Benson Macharia and Robinson Okwemo Nyandoro, posed as cryptocurrency exchange experts to swindle their victim.
"Kilimani hawkshaws have nabbed two cunning fraudsters who swindled a Chinese national Ksh6.5 million on February 20, 2025, at Rose Gardens in Kileleshwa.
"The duo, Benson Macharia and Robinson Okwemo Nyandoro masqueraded as cryptocurrency exchange experts, claiming that they were in a position to facilitate a cryptocurrency exchange," the statement read.
According to the DCI, during the transaction, Nyandoro allegedly made a swift exit with the victim’s cash, escaping through a backdoor with a carrier bag.
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Meanwhile, Macharia remained behind, reassuring the unsuspecting victim that the conversion was underway but delayed due to network issues.
As minutes turned into hours, the reality of the scam set in, prompting the Chinese national to report the incident at Kileleshwa Police Station.
"While converting the cash into cryptocurrency, Nyandoro made a dramatic exit with the money in a carrier bag, slipping through a backdoor. Left behind, the bewildered victim was still in the grip of Macharia, who posed as a trustworthy technician.
"With an air of confidence, Macharia reassured the victim that everything was on track, claiming the transfer was successful and merely delayed due to pesky network issues. But as minutes turned into hours, the victim’s unease grew into full-blown panic. Realizing he had been duped, he rushed to Kileleshwa Police Station to report the crime," the statement added.
Upon receiving the report, detectives launched investigations, which led to the arrest of Macharia who was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kibera on February 25, where he pleaded not guilty.
He was released on a Ksh1 million bail with a surety of a similar amount.
Authorities continued their search for Nyandoro, who was later tracked down and arrested at the Hub Karen on February 27.
DCI said upon further interrogation, he led detectives to his residence at KMA Estate, Lang’ata, where Ksh500,000, believed to be part of the stolen cash, was recovered.
"Nyandoro was arraigned today before the Chief Magistrate’s Court Kibera where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He will be detained at industrial area prison pending determination of bond terms on March 4, 2025.
"Clever schemes may dazzle, but Detectives have proven they’re always a step ahead. Stay vigilant, and let this serve as a caution about the perils of blind trust in the murky world of cryptocurrency," the statement concluded.
