Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested two suspected scammers in connection with orchestrating a $5.6 million (Ksh719 million) fake gold scam targeting an American businesswoman.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 15, DCI said the scheme masterminded by Michael Otieno Onyango and Andrew Clifford Otieno involved luring the American national to purchase 70 kilograms of non-existent gold.
“In the latest crackdown on fraud, a 'get rich quick' scheme masterminded by Michael Otieno Onyango and Andrew Clifford Otieno has been dismantled, thanks to the relentless efforts by detectives. The duo is implicated in a USD 5.6 million fraud scheme targeting an American businesswoman.
“The con involved luring the foreigner into what appeared to be a lucrative deal for 70 kilograms of gold,” read the statement in part.
However, the businesswoman demanded confirmation of legitimacy from the Ministry of Mining before she made the transition.
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The investor insisted that the gold must be verified through testing conducted by the Ministry.
“Though the scammers initially complied with her request, their plan unraveled when they failed to show up for a scheduled gold test,” said the DCI.
The businesswoman decided to play along with the scammers after sensing inconsistencies from the suspects.
The two set up a second meeting with the businesswoman, and she was picked up from Yaya Centre by a supposed associate, who lured her under the pretense of grabbing a cup of coffee.
Instead, the American national was driven to Rose Villa Estate, where the elusive suspects awaited.
During the meeting, the scammers attempted to persuade her to finalize the phony deal, but their efforts fell on deaf ears.
“Sensing something was amiss, they suddenly grew suspicious and fled the scene in a blue Mazda CX-5, registration number KDP 336R,” DCI stated.
Detectives who were trailing the scammers swiftly intercepted the vehicle and apprehended both occupants.
The duo was escorted back to House 27 at Rose Villa Estate, where a thorough search was conducted, and sleuths recovered two smelting machines and nineteen smelting moulds.
The two suspects were taken into custody and are now undergoing processing pending arraignment.
This comes weeks after DCI detectives arrested Abbas Bardu Omuyoma, aka Ishmael, in connection with defrauding a Canadian investor of Ksh36.1 million ($280,000) in a gold scam.
According to the DCI, Ishmael, together with an accomplice, lured the investor with promises of 550 kg of gold nuggets and bars, purportedly sourced from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Convinced he was entering a legitimate deal, the investor transferred Ksh31.1 million, only to be left empty-handed when the promised gold never materialized.
Following the complaint, sleuths launched investigations, and through forensic leads, they trailed the suspect and arrested him along Dennis Pritt Road in Nairobi.
