Six gold scam suspects among them five Kenyans and a Congolese national were yesterday charged before a Nairobi court in connection to a Sh2.85billion (USD 19million) fraud scheme that targeted two Malaysian nationals
The six include; Muke Wa Mansoni Didier (Congolese), Patrick Otieno Oduor, Brian Otiende Anyanga, Makfish Riogi Kabete, Kenn Omondi Kiboi and Joshua Odhiambo Engade
They appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Wandia Nyamu but they all denied the criminal charge of conspiracy to commit felony contrary to section 393 of the Penal Code.
The two Malaysian nationals Halid Bin Mahd Yaacob and Zulkannaain Bin Ramali who are also complainants in this case had spent USD 6,350 (Sh984,000) to accomplices of Kenyan gold scammers of based in Cameroon who referred the two to their Kenyan underworld gang members.
The court directed that all accused persons be remanded in prison.
The accused are said to have committed the offense between October 19, 2023 and December 27, 2023.
According to the prosecution, the suspects were arrested on December 28, 2023 at Kileleshwa, Nairobi
The prosecution opposed on the accused being released on bail or bond but the presiding Magistrate directed that the application be argued before the trial Magistrate on January 3, 2024.
The detectives closely followed the suspects as they picked the two foreigners from a Nairobi hotel and drove to a private house along Mageta Road before the main gate was shut locking out the Malaysians.
According to the DCI probe report, the scammers used a company identified as Rock Africa Minier to contact the complainants as from October 19, 2023 through a social media platform.
“As the sleuths stealthily gained entry into the compound, some suspects jumped over the fence at the back side of the compound, leading to a chase that saw 7 of them arrested including two escapees.” The DCI said.
Several exhibits were also recovered including metallic boxes, 84 gold coated metallic bars, smelting tools, computers, documents and stamps for Ace Point International Limited, assorted G4S uniforms and five motor vehicles.
