Police have apprehended four individuals, including a Kenyan citizen, in connection with a sophisticated gold fraud operation that has swindled victims out of significant sums of money.
The suspects, identified as Patroba Odhiambo Tobias (Kenyan), Isaac Forkay Sleyon, Omong Ekoume Louis, and Wadja Bangsi Tang, were taken into custody during a coordinated raid by detectives from the Operation Support Unit at a residence on Whispers Avenue in Gigiri.
The operation uncovered substantial evidence of the fraudulent activities, including advanced equipment such as a gold smelting machine and precision weighing scales, indicating that the group was involved in producing counterfeit gold.
Additionally, investigators seized various rubber stamps linked to companies like Alaska Express Freight Group Ltd, Longcrane Logistics Limited, and Kakan Traders and Company, along with plastic seals and documents featuring East African Community insignia.
This arrest comes amid rising concerns over gold scams targeting foreign nationals, with authorities noting that Alaska Express Freight Group Ltd is already under investigation for allegedly defrauding two Canadian citizens of USD 37,500 in a separate case.
The organized nature of the operation suggests that the suspects employed official-looking documentation to instill trust in their victims, facilitating the sale of fake gold.
All four suspects are currently in police custody as formal charges are being prepared, underscoring the ongoing issues with precious metals fraud in Kenya, particularly schemes aimed at international investors and visitors. Police have yet to disclose the total amount allegedly stolen or the number of victims involved as investigations continue.
