International Fake Currency Syndicate Nabbed in Nairobi

An early Tuesday morning raid on a house along Kiboko - Mukoma road in Lang'ata, Nairobi unearthed an international fake currency syndicate.

Millions of fake US dollars and Zambia Kwachas were found at the house as well as over 100kg of fake gold nuggets, following the raid carried out by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers.

The officers also revealed that the suspects found at the house would be charged in court on the same day, adding that several foreigners were among the nabbed suspects.

"Four foreigners- a Congolese, 2 Tanzanians, 1 Nigerian- and 4 Kenyans arrested," revealed an excerpt of a tweet sent out by the DCI.

The DCI went on to reveal the identities of the foreign suspects as Konie Kalist (Tanzanian), Chukunosho Francis Ogbuanu (Nigerian), Ruhota Kabagale (Congolese) and Manson Chogga Mtassi (Tanzanian).

While the Kenyans entangled in the syndicate were: Boniface Mtwasi Anjere, Robert Riagah, Arthur Caleb Otieno and Michael Omondi Okengo.

Kenya has recently witnessed an upsurge in similar fake currency and gold cases, having recorded the arrest of six people and recovery of 50kg of fake gold at Yaya Centre in Nairobi just a day ago.

In yet another similar instance, DCI detectives impounded fake gold in a safe deposit box at Barclays Bank’s Queensway branch in Nairobi where Ksh2.6 billion in fake currency was recovered.

Back in February 2019, police made one of the biggest busts in recent history when they uncovered over Ksh32 billion in fake currency as well as bucketloads of fake gold nuggets stashed away at a house in Ruiru, Kiambu.

The large sums of fake foreign currency seized by the police in recent months have raised concerns on whether Nairobi could be a base for international fake cash cartels.

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