Gold scamming suspect Bardu alias Ishmael arrested in connection to Sh35million fraud
The sleuths are also pursuing Abbas's possible links with suspected web of criminals, both local and foreign believed to be part of a wider cross border syndicate including politicians who could be aiding the skyrocketing illicit gold fake gold trade targeting to defraud unsuspecting local and foreign mineral traders
A suspected notorious fraudster linked to a sophisticated web of gold scamming syndicate targeting foreigners, Abbas Bardu Omuyoma alias ‘Ishmael’ has been arrested in connection to Sh35million (USD 280,000) gold fraud case involving a Canadian national.
Abbas was arrested along Dennis Pritt Road in Nairobi by detectives attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Nairobi Area and detained for pre-charge processing before his arraignment today.
The sleuths are also pursuing Abbas’s possible links with suspected web of criminals, both local and foreign believed to be part of a wider cross border syndicate including politicians who could be aiding the skyrocketing illicit gold fake gold trade targeting to defraud unsuspecting local and foreign mineral traders.
According to preliminary police investigations, Abbas alongside his accomplice who is still at large defrauded the Canadian national after obtaining USD 280,000 by menaces pretending they were in a position to sell 55kilograms of gold to him allegedly shipped from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to police records, the complaint was made on September 1, 2025.
“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,” an update by the DCI on their official X handle reads in part.
Believing he was entering into a legitimate business deal, the investor transferred USD 280,000 via USDT, only to find himself empty-handed; no gold ever materialised as promised.
“Currently in custody, Ishmael is undergoing processing pending his arraignment. Meanwhile, detectives are hot on the trail of his accomplice, who is still at large,” the DCI added.
