Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have called on Kenyans allegedly conned by a fraudulent Nairobi-based real estate company owner to file their complaints at the DCI headquarters.
The plea followed a complaint filed at the DCI headquarters in December last year, in which the real estate company owner was accused of soliciting Ksh6.4 million from a complainant.
According to DCI officers, the company owner received the money on the promise that he would construct a house for the complainant as part of the Oakside Phase 2 project in the Syokimau area of Mavoko Municipality, Machakos County.
Following the complaint, investigators from the Economic and Commercial Crimes Unit launched a probe and established that the company owner had indeed entered into a contractual agreement with the complainant for the house construction.
The real-estate company boss and the complainant agreed on a total project cost of Ksh13 million, which included a Ksh3 million upfront deposit and subsequent periodic payments, all expected to be completed within 2 years.
However, seven months after the deposit was made, the complainant had disbursed a total of Ksh6.4 million, but the company had yet to commence any construction work.
“Upon visiting the designated site, detectives confirmed that over a year had passed since the agreed completion date, and neither the foundation nor any construction had begun,” the detectives revealed.
Following his arrest by the DCI officers, the suspect was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts. However, he pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him.
The suspect was subsequently released on a bond of Ksh1 million and a cash bail of Ksh100,000. The case is set for mention on May 12, 2025.
While announcing his arraignment, DCI officers revealed that they had received multiple complaints against the real estate company, all of which were under investigation.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has received multiple complaints against the real estate company, all currently under investigation, and urges anyone who may have fallen victim to Maalim’s fraudulent schemes to come forward and file their reports at the DCI Headquarters,” the detectives noted.
The latest incident adds to the growing number of cases reported against fraudulent real estate companies, particularly in Nairobi, where unsuspecting individuals, including foreigners, have lost their money.
In December last year, another real estate firm had its accounts frozen following a court order after a foreigner filed a complaint alleging the company had defrauded him of Ksh129 million ($1 million).
In this case, the Rwandese national based in the United States told the court that he paid the amount for a property that was never delivered as agreed.
