Two suspected scammers arrested after being linked to a Ksh.720M gold fraud scheme

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Michael Otieno Onyango and Andrew Clifford Otieno targeted an American businesswoman, luring her into a deal to purchase 70 kilograms of gold.

While remaining sceptical, the lady demanded the gold's verification through testing conducted by the Ministry of Mining.

Initially, the suspects agreed to her requests, but they failed to attend the scheduled gold test.

A second meeting was then scheduled when she was picked up from Yaya Centre in Kilimani by a supposed associate, who pretended to grab a cup of coffee with her, but instead took her to Rose Villa Estate, where the duo waited.

"As negotiations began, the scammers attempted to persuade her to finalise the phony deal, but their efforts fell on deaf ears. Sensing something was amiss, they suddenly grew suspicious and fled the scene," said DCI.

An immediate police chase led to the interception of the escaping suspect and their arrest, as the duo was driven back to the Rose Villa Estate house, where a thorough search was conducted.

Detectives found two smelting machines and nineteen smelting moulds which were confiscated as evidence.

The suspects have been taken into custody awaiting arraignment.