JKIA
- 98 views
A foreign national is in custody in Nairobi, facing charges related to an alleged gold scam that defrauded two businessmen of Sh15,504,000 (USD 120,000).
The suspect was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) earlier this month by the Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU) and is currently being held at the Industrial Area Remand Prison. According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspect allegedly lured a Romanian and a Swiss national into the scheme by posing as a legitimate gold dealer.
He allegedly received payment but failed to deliver the promised gold, prompting his arrest and the subsequent securing of a 12-day custodial order on February 4, 2025, to facilitate a thorough investigation. The suspect has been formally charged with multiple offences, including obtaining money by false pretences, possession of a firearm and ammunition without a certificate, creating false documents, and forgery of official documents.
During his arraignment at the JKIA Law Court before the Senior Principal Magistrate, the suspect pleaded not guilty to all charges. The prosecution has opposed bail, citing the risk of flight and the complexity of the ongoing investigation. The case is scheduled for mention on March 3, 2025.
This incident highlights a growing concern regarding fraudulent activities targeting foreign nationals in the gold trade within Kenya. Just three weeks prior, authorities apprehended five individuals involved in a similar gold scam. In that case, victims were deceived with false claims that gold was stored in a JKIA warehouse awaiting clearance and transportation upon payment.