The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has warned about a gang targeting Nairobi landowners.
In a statement issued on Monday, December 2, DCI revealed that the well-organised criminals are using forged documents to sell land belonging to unsuspecting Kenyans.
“We wish to caution land owners, especially those in upscale suburbs, of an organised criminal ring that is targeting their parcels of land with a view to obtain hefty sums of money using forged documents,” stated the DCI.
According to the DCI, the gang, that is keeping an eye on high-value land, especially those in upscale suburbs, is said to be waiting until land owners get into joint ventures with developers.
At this point, the criminals join the bandwagon and begin the plot to lure potential buyers of the same piece of land. According to the DCI, this is the optimal time for the fraudsters since the agreement will require the landowner to obtain lease certificates, a process that takes some time.
“The criminal enterprise sets in at a time when developers are approaching individuals with underdeveloped parcels of land, where the two parties agree on profitable terms for the development of the land,” reads part of the statement from the DCI.
Cases of land fraud have become a growing problem, affecting many first-time buyers and landowners.
Fraudulent activities include double allocations, forging land documents, removal of land beacons, and fraudulent transfers facilitated by corrupt officials, brokers, and sometimes family members.
In this year alone, over 2,000 cases of various forms of land fraud have been reported. In a past report by the National Land Commission, over 5,000 cases of land disputes and suspected fraud were filed, including claims of double allocation and document forgery.
While giving an example of a scam the detectives stopped, DCI revealed that a Pumwani-based resident was set to lose two parcels of land were it not for a keen developer.
According to DCI, the cartels posed as staff members from the Nairobi County Lands Registry and swindled a victim of Ksh553,350. The DCI narrated that the cartels used forged documents to lure the victim and obtain the money.
One suspect in the Pumwani case was arrested and arraigned at Milimani Law Courts on Monday. The DCI says most of the suspects implicated in the case are renowned gold scammers.
