Sleuths from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested the prime suspect in Ksh2.85 billion gold scam.
The suspect, Kelvin Mwaura Ngotho, was arrested on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, by detectives from the Operations Support Unit when he appeared in court for another gold scam case.
“Kelvin Mwaura Ngotho, the main suspect in a Sh2.85 billion gold scam investigation involving two Malaysian nationals, and who was arrested yesterday by the Operations Support Unit detectives has been arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts. Mwaura was arrested at the same court premises when he appeared for the hearing of yet another gold scam case in which he is out on bond,” DCI stated.
DCI disclosed that Operations Support detectives have been pursuing Mwaura since December 27, 2023, being the mastermind of the near-success $19,000,000 gold scam deal orchestrated by an eight-member gang.
“In the investigations, it was established that Mwaura was the tenant of the Lavington-based premises in which the gang operated from, having entered a tenancy agreement with the landlord to use the property as a residential house,” DCI added.
7 fake gold suspects arrested
In December, DCI arrested seven suspects in the said house, where a deal involving 50kg in fake gold was to be sealed.
“Earlier this morning, Mwaura was arraigned at court no.4 before Hon. R.K Ondieki charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and attempt to commit a felony. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was admitted to a bond of Sh3 million or alternative cash bail of Sh1 million. The matter will be mentioned on 13th March at the same court,” DCI added.
The suspects, said to have been using Rock Africa Minier company, had contacted the complainants on October 19, 2023, through a social media platform.
“Having received intelligence report through Kilimani Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer on the scamming deal planned against the two foreign men, the OSU deployed a surveillance team after the two victims jetted in the country,” DCI said on December 27, 2023.
According to the DCI, the suspects had alleged to transact with them 500 kg of gold at USD19 million (Ksh2.85 billion). In the deal, the complainants had already sent USD 6,350 to members of the gang based in Cameroon who referred the two to their Kenyan accomplices.
The alleged scammers were trailed as they picked up the two foreigners from their hotel in Kilimani using a Toyota Noah Reg No. KCW 835U.
“They were taken to an office in a private house along Mageta Road within Kileleshwa where the surveillance team followed closely before the main gate was shut locking them out. As the sleuths stealthily gained entry into the compound, some suspects jumped over the fence at the back side of the compound, leading to a chase that saw 7 of them arrested including two escapees,” DCI said in December 2023.
Among the suspects arrested include Didier Muke (a Congolese with a pending case and passport deposited in court), Brian Otiende, Patrick Otieno, Joshua Ngandi, Charles Vincent Njerenga (whisked from a getaway bike and in hospital), Mark Kabete (G4S) and Ken Kiboi (G4S).
“The scene was processed and several exhibits recovered including metallic boxes, 84 gold-coated metallic bars, smelting tools, computers, documents & stamps for Ace Point International,” added DCI.
Other items recovered include limited and assorted G4S uniforms, Toyota Noah white in colour registration number KCW 835U, Toyota Crown black in colour registration number KDB 090W, Mercedes Benz white in colour registration number KCQ 138T, Toyota G-Touring white in colour registration number KAX 260R and a Toyota double cab registration number KCH 622T branded G4S.
