Nairobi: Ten suspects arrested after conning American KSh67.3M in gold scam

Detectives in Nairobi have arrested ten suspects believed to have defrauded two American KSh67.3 million in a fake gold scam.

The ten who include eight Kenyans, one Indian, and one Greek citizen were arrested in two separate raids at Nairobi’s upmarket Kitusuru and Kilimani suburbs.

In the first raid, Seth Steve Okuthe, the Director NewSkys Global Cargo Movers, and Brunoh Otieno Oliende alias Oyugi were the first to be arrested following a report made by Ms. Marjorie R. Grant, an American-based investor living in Los Angeles, California.

The 8 other suspects Samuel Wathika Gathuru, Kaisarios Loamms (Greece citizen), Odhiambo Tobias Patrobas, Oketch Moses, Patrick Mugabe, Elisha Mbandi, Teddy Zamora and Siva Sakthi Veru (Indian citizen) were arrested in unmarked offices along Maalim Juma Road within Kilimani area.

During the raid, Waithaka was found in possession of a Sigsauer P229 Pistol while his accomplice Steve Okute was found in possession of a Baretta pistol loaded with 13 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Detectives also recovered three laptops, suspected mineral stones coated in gold and silver colors, a Cheque book issued by a local bank, a briefcase containing metal analyzer tools, cash counting machines, rubber stamp inscribed Bukule Tereno Advocates Kinshasha and assorted metal rods.

It is while the detectives were conducting the raid that they found the arrested Indian National Siva Sakthi Veru, who had just jetted into the country, in the process of being defrauded over Sh25 Million and saved him from the fraudulent deal.

They also managed to recover 470 rounds of ammunition of 9mm and 5.56 mm caliber.

However, a Gilboa rifle suspected to have been using the 5.56mm ammo was found missing during the raid.