Detectives in Nairobi have arrested a man linked to a high-profile fake gold scam that saw a Pakistani national lose thousands of dollars. The suspect, who had set up an elaborate operation complete with fake documents and smelting equipment, is now in custody as investigations continue.
Highlights:
- DCI and KPS officers arrested a suspect in Ngong View Estate, Langata.
- The victim, a Pakistani national, was duped of USD 34,800.
- 500 grams of counterfeit gold were presented as genuine.
- A raid uncovered fake bars, smelting machines, and forged certificates.
- The suspect is in custody pending arraignment.
Main Story:
The Arrest
In a joint operation, officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Kenya Police Service (KPS) arrested Stephen Magero, a suspected fake gold merchant, at Sultan Suites in Ngong View Estate.
The operation followed a complaint filed by a Pakistani national who claimed he had been conned of USD 34,800 in a fraudulent gold transaction.
How the Scam Unfolded
According to detectives, the suspect handed the complainant 500 grams of what he claimed was genuine gold. The buyer paid in cash, only to later discover that the bars were fake after testing.
The incident was reported at Karen Police Station, setting off investigations that led to the suspect’s arrest.
A search at Magero’s office revealed ten bars of suspected counterfeit gold, a MacBook Pro laptop, business cards under the alias John Mbalaka, and a mining certificate under the name Chawanda Minerals. Smelting machines, weighing equipment, plastic containers with sand, and assorted files were also seized.
The suspect is being held in custody as DCI officers finalize investigations before arraignment in court.
Read Also:
- Inside Kenya’s Multi-Million Shilling Fake Gold Syndicates
- DCI Warns Kenyans Over Rising Cases of Investment Scams
- How Foreign Nationals Are Targeted in Nairobi Fraud Schemes
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As detectives tighten the net on gold scammers, the case serves as yet another reminder of Nairobi’s shadowy underworld where glitter is not always gold.
