Detectives have arrested Michael Otieno Onyango and Andrew Clifford Otieno over a USD 5.6 million (Sh728 million) gold scam targeting an American businesswoman.
The scheme unraveled after they failed to produce genuine gold for testing, prompting a DCI sting that led to their capture at Rose Villa Estate in Nairobi.
According to the statement by the DCI on Wednesday, the two had masterminded a “get-rich-quick” scheme that sought to defraud the foreigner in a fake deal involving 70 kilograms of gold.
“In the latest crackdown on fraud, a ‘get rich quick’ scheme masterminded by Michael Otieno Onyango and Andrew Clifford Otieno has been dismantled, thanks to the relentless efforts by detectives,” the DCI said in a statement.
The statement revealed that the suspects had lured the American businesswoman into what appeared to be a lucrative gold deal.
However, the businesswoman demanded verification from the Ministry of Mining, insisting that any gold transaction must be tested by the ministry to confirm its legitimacy.
“Though the scammers initially complied with her request, their plan unraveled when they failed to show up for a scheduled gold test,” the agency stated.
The businesswoman then decided to play along, leading to a second meeting where she was picked up from Yaya Centre by a supposed associate under the pretence of grabbing a cup of coffee instead, she was driven to Rose Villa Estate, where the suspects awaited.
“As negotiations began, the scammers attempted to persuade her to finalise the phony deal, but their efforts fell on deaf ears,” the DCI stated.
“Sensing something was amiss, they suddenly grew suspicious and fled the scene in a blue Mazda CX-Z, registration number KDP 336R.”
Detectives pursued and intercepted the vehicle, arresting both suspects.
The duo was escorted back to House 27 at Rose Villa Estate, where a thorough search ensued where detectives uncovered two smelting machines and nineteen smelting moulds.