The DCI’s Operation Support Unit (OSU) detectives apprehended a Cameroonian national, Francis Talla Oufa, aka Allain, the mastermind behind a sophisticated fake gold scheme that swindled a Canadian investor of USD618,000.
In November 2024, while still in Canada, the victim was drawn into an enticing deal involving the purchase of 250 kilograms of gold.
Lured by the promise of hefty returns, he traveled to Kenya in April 2025 to seal the deal.
Upon arrival, he was ushered into plush, high-end offices by an alleged business partner, an elaborate front designed to project the illusion of a thriving, legitimate gold enterprise.
The victim was then introduced to a network of well-rehearsed con artists, and convinced of their credibility, he handed over USD618,000 before reality struck hard that he had been conned.
Investigations were launched, and detectives, through forensic leads, trailed and arrested the suspect on Wednesday July 30.
A search was conducted in the suspect’s vehicle and residence in Belfair Park, Dagoretti and a number of items were recovered.
They included gold transaction-related documents and seals, a staff card for Sunshine Minerals Ltd bearing the suspect’s name with the designation “Engineer Mining”, two laptops, three mobile phones and other items linked to the scheme.
This is the latest such an arrest to take place amid operations on gold scammers in the country.
Police say most of the suspects behind the incidents have been arrested and arraigned and their cases remain active in courts.
The operations have been mounted in the past years after many foreigners complained they had been scammed in the city.
Nairobi was increasingly turning to be the hub for fake gold deals, which prompted the operations.
Police say they have dozens of cases of complaints from foreigners who say they had been conned by Kenyans pretending to be selling gold.
In efforts to address such incidents, the DCI had asked embassies in the country to join the fight against the vice by urging them to advise their nationals engaged in trade to follow procedures.
“We urge the Embassies (High Commissions) to advise their nationals coming in for business to be apprised of con business of gold going on in the country and first contact the Department of Mines and Geology for the procedure that pertains to buying and selling of gold and other precious metals,” the DCI said.
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