
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation have arrested one suspect linked to the alleged defrauding of a Nigerian of 150 million naira (Sh126 million).
The DCI said in a statement the suspect's accomplices managed to escape and remain at large, but a manhunt has been launched to apprehend them.
"Whereas his accomplices narrowly escaped detectives' dragnet, it is just a matter of time before they are smoked out of their hideout and brought to book," DCI said in a statement on Friday.
He said that the suspects approached the victim pretending to be in a position to hire a private jet that would enable him transport unspecified investments from Kenya to Nigeria.
DCI said the foreigner fell for the trick and paid the group 150 million naira (Sh12.6m) for the procurement of the private jet.
"Unbeknownst of the foul play, the victim made the payment amounting to 150 million naira only to realise later that he had been played when he could no longer reach the suspect or his friends," Amin said.
Upon realising he had been conned, the victim contacted DCI detectives who mounted a manhunt that resulted in the arrest of the suspect in custody.
Cases of foreigners falling prey to fraudsters in the country have been on the rise in recent times, some involving false promises to enable them to buy gold.
A number of them have ended up losing millions of shillings to fraudsters in gold smelting deals that turned out to be fake.
DCI boss Mohammed Amin said the detectives were working to ensure no efforts are spared in hunting and dealing with suspected fraudsters.
"We caution members of the public to do their due diligence in establishing the credibility of such businesses to avoid losing their hard-earned money," Amin said.
"Additionally, the public is also cautioned of an emerging trend where fraudsters have been found to be using cryptocurrency as a means of exchange outside the formal financial system in a bid to evade detection," Amin warned.