Editor's Review

The suspect is in police custody ahead of his arraignment in court.

Detectives from the DCI’s operation support unit (OSU) have arrested Tim Orao Shikalo, a key suspect behind a Ksh38 million ($265,200) gold scam that defrauded a foreign investor.

In a statement on Sunday, July 13, DCI said the suspect has been on the police radar for months.

“A team of detectives from the operation support unit (OSU) have today arrested Tim Orao Shikalo, a key suspect who has long been on the police radar for his role in a sophisticated gold scam that defrauded a foreign investor of USD 265,200 (approximately Ksh38 million),” read part of the DCI statement.

The scam involved fake gold purchase contracts totaling over 1,080 kilograms, with false promises of secure delivery, guaranteed collateral, and fraudulent legal facilitation.

According to DCI, investigations revealed that the purported gold was a mixture of copper, zinc, and tin, with no trace of any precious metals.

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File image of DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road. 

The suspect is currently in police custody and undergoing processing ahead of his arraignment.

Shikalo’s arrest comes months after Steve Okoth Odek alias David Bett was arrested and charged over the same gold scam.

“His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation, following the earlier apprehension of Steve Okoth Odek alias David Bett on 7th December 2024, who was arraigned and charged in connection with the same fraudulent scheme,” DCI stated.

Meanwhile, detectives are closing in on two additional suspects believed to be part of the syndicate.