Four Kenyans Charged with Defrauding Foreign National of Ksh 2.9 Million in Fake Gold Scheme

By Mercy Jeptoo
Four Kenyans, including two men and two women, were charged on Wednesday with multiple counts of forgery and fraud after allegedly swindling a foreign national of Ksh 12.9 million in a fake gold scheme. The accused, who posed as customs officials of a legitimate Kenyan company, are accused of convincing the victim, a Niger national operating in Dubai, that they were handling a genuine gold shipment.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the elaborate scheme was part of a broader operation that spanned across multiple countries, including Mali. In total, the victim is said to have lost over $5 million, equivalent to more than Ksh 646 million at current exchange rates.

The victim, seeking to acquire a 100kg consignment of gold, was targeted between February and December this year. He received an invoice from a fake logistics company in Nairobi, claiming to have possession of the gold. The fraudsters instructed the victim to pay Ksh 12.9 million to a supposed customs official in Nairobi, purportedly to secure the shipment and have it delivered to Dubai.

“I received an invoice from a fake logistics company in Nairobi confirming to me that they were in possession of the gold,” the victim said.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the syndicate’s operations, with all four suspects now facing charges related to forgery, fraud, and money laundering. The case highlights the growing threat of international scams targeting foreign investors and businesses.