Detectives in Nairobi have arrested 11 suspects, including two Cameroonian nationals. They were arrested in connection with a large-scale fake gold operation that allegedly defrauded a victim of Ksh.70.6 million (approximately USD 546,000).
The suspects were apprehended in Spring Valley Estate, Nairobi. Officers then seized 350 kilogrammes of counterfeit gold and other items suspected of being part of the fraudulent scheme.
Coordinated Police Operation
According to a statement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kenya, the arrests followed credible intelligence that led detectives to a hideout within the Spring Valley area.
“Upon search, detectives recovered a haul of fake gold weighing 305kg, along with a weighing machine and an electronic gold tester, commonly known as a Tester Gun,” said the DCI.
Also seized during the operation were a dust coat bearing the logo of Kenya’s Ministry of Mining and several documents. Authorities believe they used these documents to create an illusion of authenticity, deceiving unsuspecting victims.
Arrested Individuals
Seven Kenyans and four foreign nationals make up the suspects. The foreign nationals include two Congolese, Nfundiko Kamira and Lukabaya Mulamba. Meanwhile, the two Cameroonians were identified as Ibrahim Nzamgou and Mike Fouapon.
Authorities have named the Kenyan suspects: Allan Zephaniah Onyango, Nicodemus Okoth, Phillip Onyango, Elmad Ochola, Shem Omollo, Edward Leonard Ochieng, and James Jeremiah Akumu.
The Capitol Hill Police Station in Nairobi is currently holding all suspects and processing them in preparation for arraignment.
A Sophisticated Operation
Investigators believe the arrested individuals were part of a well-organised and transnational criminal network. Investigators suspect they are involved in fraudulent gold schemes that target investors across the region.
The presence of a dust coat with official government branding further suggests that part of the strategy involved impersonating government officials or creating the appearance of state-sanctioned operations.
“These items were used to gain the trust of unsuspecting individuals while executing their fraudulent schemes,” noted the DCI.
