Editor's Review

Detectives have arrested an Indian national in connection with an alleged gold investment fraud involving Ksh172.3 million.

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested an Indian national in connection with an alleged gold investment fraud involving USD 1,325,970 (approximately Ksh172.3 million).

In a statement on Friday, November 13, the DCI identified the suspect as Maheshbhai Rameshbhai Bhadra, who was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) shortly after arriving in Kenya from the United Arab Emirates.

Join our WhatsApp Channel for the latest news updates.

"The suspect, Maheshbhai Rameshbhai Bhadra, was intercepted and arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), moments after touching down from Dubai, United Arab Emirates," the statement read.

The arrest followed investigations into a complaint filed by an investor who accused the suspect of defrauding him of the money through an informal money-transfer arrangement involving agents in Dubai and Kenya.

Read More

  1. DCI Cautions Public after Woman Loses Ksh130,000 in Mombasa Airbnb Scam
  2. 5 Arrested After Woman Loses Ksh742,000 in Fake Cement Deal
  3. Man Posing as Police Sergeant Arrested in Nairobi

"His arrest followed an investigation into a complaint by an investor who alleged the suspect fleeced him of the colossal sum through an informal Hawala money-transfer arrangement involving agents in Dubai and Kenya," the statement added.

File image of the suspect

According to detectives, the alleged fraud revolved around a promise to supply 210 kilograms of gold, which the complainant was allegedly persuaded to pay for but never received.

"At the heart of the scam was a tantalising promise: 210 kilograms of gold. Investigations indicate that the complainant was induced to part with the money on the pretext of securing the precious metal, only for the anticipated transaction to fail to materialise," the statement further read.

The DCI said the arrest was carried out pursuant to a stop order issued by the Milimani Law Courts, paving the way for further legal proceedings against the suspect.

Bhadra was being held in custody as detectives processed him ahead of his arraignment in court.

This comes days after detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested a man accused of conning a woman of Ksh130,000 in an online accommodation scam targeting holidaymakers heading to the Coast.

In a statement Sunday, November 8, the DCI said its Nyali Sub-County detectives acted on investigative leads to trail and arrest Nelson Okota Odhiambo in Bamburi, bringing his alleged scheme to an end.

Okota is accused of defrauding a female client of Ksh130,000 after claiming he could secure Airbnb accommodation for her in Nyali.

The accommodation never materialised, leaving the woman out of pocket.

According to the country's august investigative body, the alleged fraud may not be limited to one victim.

"Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect has extended his fraudulent enterprise beyond Nyali, targeting unsuspecting travellers planning visits to Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties," the statement read.