A Nigerian national was at the weekend arrested after he allegedly defrauded an Iraqi businessman of Sh8 million in a fake gold deal in Nairobi.
Rahim Taku was seized from his Kilimani house in the city as he waited for an extra Sh10 million in US dollars to deliver an alleged 10 kilograms of gold.
Mustafa Wajidi Anwer had been contacted by the Nigerian who has been in Nairobi for the last two years pretending he would deliver to him the 10 kilos of gold.
The businessman operates between his country and Dubai.
After talks online and on the phone, the Nigerian told Anwer that he, together with a Kenyan identified as Vincent would deliver the cargo as soon as a downpayment of US$60,000 is made.
Anwer told police he sent the downpayment but Taku informed him more was needed to enable him to ship the cargo.
Anwer said he was about to deliver an extra US$80,000 but decided to travel to Nairobi where he realized he had been scammed.
Director of DCI Mohamed Amin said this is the latest such incident to be reported and vowed to crush the gold scammers operating in Nairobi.
“We have deployed teams to pursue the scammers and ensure sanity,” he said.
He added they are looking for more suspects in connection with the latest incident.
It comes as more foreigners are flocking to Nairobi to lodge complaints of being scammed of money in fake gold deals.
Amin said dozens of cases are pending in court and warned foreigners against falling into the trap of scammers.
For instance, US businessman Seth Bernstein was scammed of Sh138 million in a fake gold deal.
Bernstein claims those behind the scheme used the name of President William Ruto to con him.
They even presented a fake niece to the president claiming they would access the State House at will.
Two suspects are facing fraud charges over the deal and the case is pending in court.
The DCI has sounded an alarm over rising cases where foreigners are conned money by Kenyans operating with fake gold bars.
The DCI has also urged Embassies and High Commissions to advise their nationals coming in for business.
He added that they should first contact the Department of Mines and Geology for the procedure that pertains to buying and selling of gold and other precious metals.
