Kenya’s criminal landscape has faced a significant setback with the arrest of Tim Orao Shikalo, a suspected mastermind behind a gold scam that defrauded a foreign investor of USD 265,200, or approximately Ksh 38 million.
Shikalo was apprehended by elite detectives from the Operation Support Unit (OSU) after months of evasion. He is accused of running a fraudulent gold syndicate that deceived investors with false claims, forged contracts, and nonexistent minerals.
Investigators revealed that the scam involved over 1,080 kilograms of purported gold, which turned out to be a worthless mix of copper, zinc, and tin, all wrapped in fraudulent documentation promising smooth customs clearance.
This arrest follows the capture of Steve Okoth Odek, also known as David Bett, who was arrested in December 2024 for his role in the same scheme. Authorities suspect both men are part of a larger criminal network targeting wealthy foreigners with polished sales tactics and fake documents.
Shikalo is currently in police custody and is set to be arraigned soon, while detectives are closing in on two additional suspects linked to the scam. As the investigation unfolds, it highlights the troubling rise of Kenya’s fake gold industry, which continues to tarnish the nation’s reputation and raises concerns about the protection of these criminal enterprises and the potential number of other victims.
