Detectives from the Directorate Of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Thursday, April 20, nabbed three suspects at the centre of a Ksh67 million gold scam.
In a report by DCI, the scam mastermind approached an Israeli national, offering to sell him 60 kilograms of gold. Cops recovered fake gold bars made from crushed padlocks powder, a thermo-scientific precious metal analyser, motor vehicle plates, assorted chequebooks, and ATM cards.
The foreign national and the seller reportedly agreed on a price of Ksh67 million ($500,000), with the Israeli asked to pay Ksh6.7 million ($50,000) as a deposit.
He was then directed to three companies that would foresee the transaction process, with the three suspects posing as the firms' representatives.
"The foreigner was then introduced to three companies that would allegedly actualise the transaction. They included Newline Logistics Limited, Oriex International Cargo Freight and Royal Ultra Vault Limited," the report read in part.
One of the suspects posed as the Chief Executive Officer of one of the companies, while the other posed as a partner. However, once the deposit was paid, the three vanished.
"The victim became suspicious that all was not well after failed delivery of the consignment on the agreed-upon date, before he rushed to detectives for assistance," DCI reported.
Detectives from the agency launched an operation to flush the suspects from their hideout. They discovered that the three posed a bigger threat to their victim other than stealing his money.
"This led to the arrest of the three suspects, recovery of a Steyr pistol and 103 rounds of 9mm ammunitions, a firearm certificate, and Ksh600,000 in cash," the report stated.
The suspects were placed under police custody before they were arraigned at the Milimani Law Court, where they were charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and illegal possession of a firearm.
