Four Arraigned in USD 100,000 Gold Scam at Milimani Law Courts
NAIROBI, Kenya – Four individuals suspected of orchestrating a USD 100,000 gold scam have been arraigned at Milimani Law Courts today. The suspects, arrested on Wednesday, December 11, face multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud and forgery.
The accused, Susan Wanjeri Kogi, Elvis Muga Ouma, Nazlin Karim Rahimbux, and Hubbard Kanyago Ndong’o, allegedly defrauded a Niger businessman of USD 100,000 while posing as Customs officials based in Nairobi. The case, investigated by the DCI Operation Support Unit, revealed a complex scam that spanned multiple countries and involved substantial sums of money.
According to the investigation, the victim, whose company is based in Dubai, reported losses exceeding USD 5,000,000 between February 2024 and December 2024. The funds were intended for the purchase, clearance, and transportation of 100kg of gold from Mali to Dubai.
The scammers, after receiving the large payment, claimed that the gold consignment had been confiscated by Nairobi Customs officers during transit to Dubai. This ruse was part of a broader scheme in which the fraudsters in Mali collaborated with their Kenyan counterparts. The Kenyan accomplices issued an invoice from DARDESSA Logistics Limited, purportedly holding the consignment, and demanded an additional USD 100,000 from the victim.
The victim complied and sent the money, receiving a confirmation from Susan Wanjeri. However, after traveling to Kenya and meeting with the fake agents, the businessman grew suspicious of their continuous demands for more funds and reported the fraud.
In response, detectives launched an intelligence-led operation, apprehending the suspects at various locations in Nairobi.
During their arraignment in court no. 5 today, the four pleaded not guilty to the charges. They were each granted a bond of Ksh 500,000, with an alternative cash bail of Ksh 200,000. The case is set for mention on January 21, 2025.
The authorities have reminded businesspersons to remain vigilant against organized fraudsters who exploit every opportunity to deceive and defraud genuine traders of their hard-earned money. This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for due diligence and caution in business transactions, especially those involving large sums of money and cross-border dealings.
