DCI Warns of New Scam Targeting Landlords

A block of apartments in Nairobi.
A block of apartments in Nairobi's Kilimani Estate.
Photo
Rent Kenya

The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has warned landlords of a new fraud scheme targeting their apartments, especially in Nairobi upmarket areas.

According to DCI, fraudsters forge title deeds of pricey apartments within Nairobi then enter a deal with real estate companies to dispose of the property at a throwaway price.

Detectives disclosed that the scam has seen unsuspecting buyers pay millions for non-existence apartments while in some cases making landlord lose their property completely.

A block of apartments in Nairobi, Kenya.
A block of apartments in Nairobi, Kenya.
Photo/ Rent Kenya

"The fraudsters forge a title deed certificate for the property and enter into a deal with a real estate company to dispose the property on his dispose," DCI revealed.

This new scheme has been unmasked following the arrest on a suspect who was in the final stages of selling an apartment that does not belong to him in Westlands, Nairobi.

The 30-year-old man was nabbed on the brink of selling a 3 bedroom all ensuite apartment valued at Ksh40 million at a throwaway price of Ksh11 million.

He was apprehended after the owner of the building received intelligence about the ongoing fraudulent deal and informed detectives who conducted the sting operation, pouncing on the suspect.

His arrest follows a forensic document examination carried out by DCI National Forensic Laboratory that established that he had forged the title deed to enable the transaction to take place.

"The suspect was arrested minutes before he inked a deal to obtain millions of shillings without breaking a sweat by selling an apartment in Nairobi upmarket Westlands suburbs," DCI stated.

According to detectives, the suspect had earlier obtained Ksh9 million in a similar scheme targeting unsuspecting landlords in the city which is punishable by law under the offense of obtaining money by false pretense.

Cases of land grabbing and fraud have been on the rise especially in the Nairobi upmarket areas despite the price of property hitting a record high.

A recent report released by Hass, detailed that land price in Westlands is valued at over Ksh423.4 million an acre being among the highest in the city followed by Kilimani at Ksh413.1 million.

File photo of lavish houses in Nyali, Mombasa
File photo of lavish houses in Nyali, Mombasa
File
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