KENYAN MAN SCAMS CANADIAN OF KSH 36 MILLION IN NAIROBI

A Kenyan man is in custody after allegedly conning a Canadian investor out of Ksh36 million (approximately USD 280,000) in a fraudulent gold deal, according to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The suspect was arrested by detectives from the DCI Nairobi Regional Office along Dennis Pritt Road.
His arrest followed a formal complaint lodged on September 1, 2025, by the foreign investor. Authorities say he and an unidentified accomplice lured the investor into a bogus deal involving 550 kilograms of gold nuggets and bars, which they claimed were sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Convinced that the transaction was legitimate, the investor transferred USD 280,000 via USDT, a popular cryptocurrency tied to the US dollar.
However, after the funds were transferred, the promised gold never materialized.
“This was a sophisticated con,” DCI said in a statement released on September 17. “Together with an accomplice who remains at large, Ishmael orchestrated a sophisticated con, luring the unsuspecting investor with promises of 550 kg of gold nuggets and bars purportedly sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
The suspect was tracked down through forensic investigations and digital trail analysis, which helped detectives pinpoint his location and arrest him without incident.
“Following the complaint, an intensive investigation was launched. Through forensic leads, detectives trailed Ishmael, arresting him along Dennis Pritt Road in Nairobi,” the statement read. The suspect is currently being processed and is expected to be arraigned in court. Meanwhile, the hunt is still on for the second suspect involved in the international scam.
No gold was recovered during the arrest, further confirming that the transaction was entirely fictitious.
The DCI urged both local and international investors to remain vigilant when engaging in precious metals trading in Kenya, particularly when dealing with unknown individuals or entities. The agency is calling on the public to report any suspicious activities related to gold scams, especially those involving foreign investors.