DCI detectives have arrested a suspect in Kalama along Mombasa Road for selling non-existent land to a Machakos land buyer using forged identity documents and a fake title deed.
Detectives based in Kalama Sub-County arrested the fraudster, David Maitha, who spent months parading himself under the stolen identity of ‘Joel Musembi Kiilu.’
In a meticulously executed scam, Maitha presented himself as the bona fide owner of the lucrative parcel of land.
To make his scheme look watertight, he unleashed a forged title deed and a fake National Identity Card, both bearing the name Joel Musembi Kiilu.
Exercising caution, the unsuspecting buyer conducted an official search at the Machakos Land Registry. The search returned a green light, confirming that the property indeed belonged to Joel Musembi Kiilu.
Convinced that all stars had aligned, the buyer entered into a sale agreement before a Machakos lawyer and promptly handed over KSh 2.4 million.
However, the moment the money changed hands, the script suddenly changed.
The ‘vendor’ transformed into a ghost, ghosting phone calls, dodging scheduled meetings, and vanishing into thin air just when post-sale procedures were meant to kick off.
Realising he had been conned, the victim rushed to the police. Kalama Sub-County sleuths immediately swung into action, conducting investigations that uncovered the suspect’s true identity as David Maitha, a masquerader who used identity theft as a ticket to a quick, illegal payday.
Following a covert, intelligence-led operation, the long arm of the law caught up with Maitha at Mtito Andei, bringing his fleeting moment of ill-gotten wealth to a halt.
Meanwhile, Maitha is being held by the police as he undergoes processing ahead of his date with the court.
The DCI cautioned members of the public to exercise utmost due diligence when undertaking land transactions.
“Beyond verifying the authenticity of documents at land registries, buyers must verify the true identity of the individuals behind those documents,” read part of DCI report.
