The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested two people in connection with a fake gold syndicate that has scammed its clients using padlocks.
In a statement released on Friday, January 28, the agency revealed that the two purported to be the agents of a Congo-based gold baron.
The suspects had fraudulently received Ksh1 million from a potential buyer after pretending that they were in a position to supply him with gold.
According to sleuths, the duo showed the man dust from crushed golden padlocks which he believed was real gold.
He reportedly deposited different amounts into the suspects' mobile money accounts totalling Ksh1 million before he was given the fake gold.
Detectives who had been hunting down the suspects traced the two to their hideout in Uthiru, Kiambu County where they recovered hundreds of SIM cards and ID cards.
Investigators believe that the suspects use the personal information from the identification documents to register new SIM cards which are used to defraud unsuspecting Kenyans.
The two culprits were arranged in court on Friday, January 28. The court granted the detectives more time to detain the duo as investigations continued.
DCI boss, George Kinoti, has issued several warnings to both locals and foreigners to be on the lookout for gold scammers.
“The gold scam has now reached alarming levels as unsuspecting foreign nationals are being swindled large amounts of money by fraudsters.
"We urge the Embassies (High Commissions) to advise their nationals coming in for business to be apprised of con business of gold going on in the country and first contact the Department of Mines and Geology for a procedure that pertains to buying and selling of gold and other Precious metals,” he stated in a past press release.
