Detectives Arrest 4 Suspected Gold Scammers in Gigiri

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives from the Operation Support Unit (OSU) have arrested four suspects linked to a gold scam syndicate in Nairobi.

In a statement on Monday, July 28, DCI said the four suspects are accused of orchestrating gold scams that defrauded unsuspecting victims of their hard-earned money.

The four suspects were apprehended during a raid at a residence along Whispers Avenue in Gigiri.

“The suspects: Patroba Odhiambo Tobias, Isaac Forkay Sleyon, Omong Ekoume Louis, and Wadja Bangsi Tang, were taken into custody during a meticulously planned raid at a residence in Gigiri, situated along Whispers Avenue,” read the DCI statement in part.

During the raid, the OSU detectives recovered a trove of incriminating evidence, including a gold smelting machine, an array of rubber stamps bearing the names of companies such as Alaska Express Freight Group Limited, Longcrane Logistics Limited, and Kakan Traders and Company.

The officers also seized numerous plastic seals, a weighing machine, and a cache of documents bearing stamp impressions from the East African Community, among other items.

According to DCI, preliminary investigations have revealed that Alaska Express Freight Group Limited is linked to a recent complaint involving two Canadian nationals who were defrauded of USD 37,500 (Ksh4.8 million) last week.

The four suspects are currently in custody and are undergoing processing in preparation for their arraignment.

This comes weeks after OSU detectives arrested Tim Orao Shikalo, a suspect linked to a gold scam that defrauded a foreign investor of USD 265,200 (Ksh 38 million).

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