Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested five suspects involved in a fake gold syndicate that swindled two foreign nationals of over Ksh15 million, with the operation linked to firearms and ammunition.
According to the DCI, the five were arrested at different points after scamming the two businessmen from Romania and Switzerland after lying to them that they could supply 550 kilograms of gold.
''Five suspects implicated in a gold scam that left two businessmen, a Romanian and a Swiss national, crying for justice after losing Ksh15,504,000 (USD 120,000) to the fraudsters are in our custody,'' DCI shared in a statement.
The detectives uncovered that the five suspects deceived the foreign nationals, claiming that the gold they were selling was stored in a warehouse at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) awaiting clearance and would be transported on January 20, 2025, once payment was made.
The suspects are reported to have lured the businessmen to make the full payment for the nuggets, only for them to start taking them in circles.
After the case was reported, the detectives raided one of the offices where they arrested two suspects and obtained crucial evidence relating to the syndicate.
''In the complaint filed at Wilson Airport Police Station on January 29, 2025, the complainants alleged to have been approached by a contact person who informed them that the prime suspect (name withheld) was in the business of selling 550kg of gold,'' the DCI added.
The remaining suspects were apprehended at Mount Kenya Wildlife Estate in Nanyuki's Ol Pejeta Conservancy on February 2, where authorities confiscated two Glock pistols, 96 rounds of ammunition, a pair of handcuffs, and other items.
''From therein, two Glock pistols, 96 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a pair of handcuffs, a laptop of apple, one MacBook, and 6 expired mineral licence were confiscated. Also recovered was a motor vehicle make Toyota Landcruiser V8 silver in colour, among other assorted documents,'' the DCI narrated.
The Firearms Licensing Board later confirmed that the suspect whose house a gun was found is not a licensed firearms holder.
''The two suspects were then escorted to the Riverside Pearl residence in Kileleshwa within Nairobi, where more exhibits were found, including three 9mm tracer bullets, 14 smoke grenades, a bulletproof vest, and assorted seals and stamps,'' it added.
Two of the suspects were arraigned in court and granted custodial orders, while the remaining three are expected to be arraigned in court today.
