Detectives from the Nairobi DCI have arrested a woman believed to be the mastermind behind a sophisticated gold scam that defrauded an American national of US Dollars 431,380.
The suspect was arrested at Crystal Villas in Kilimani following what investigators described as a painstaking operation to track down those behind the fraudulent scheme.
According to investigators, the scam revolved around a fake gold transaction in which the suspects allegedly promised to supply 400 kilograms of genuine gold bars to the foreign investor.
The deal was carefully staged to appear legitimate. Detectives say the suspects presented polished business proposals, held negotiations, and prepared formal documentation to convince the victim that the transaction was genuine.
Believing he was entering a lucrative investment arrangement, the American national travelled to Nairobi to finalise the agreement.
Millions Transferred Before Suspects Vanished
Once the documents were signed, the victim transferred the funds into bank accounts linked to the suspects, expecting delivery of the promised gold shipment.
However, immediately after the money was received, the alleged dealers disappeared and all communication channels went silent. Calls reportedly went unanswered and no gold was delivered, prompting the investor to realise he had fallen victim to a carefully orchestrated fraud.
The matter was subsequently reported to the DCI, triggering investigations by detectives based at the Nairobi Regional Headquarters.
Detectives Track Prime Suspect to Kilimani
Investigators say forensic leads and intelligence gathering efforts eventually led them to the Kilimani hideout where Mildred was arrested.
Her alleged accomplice managed to evade arrest after reportedly sensing detectives were closing in on him. Authorities said the suspect abandoned a black Mercedes-Benz E50 while escaping.
The vehicle has since been seized and towed to the Nairobi Regional Headquarters yard, where it is being held as an exhibit as investigations continue.
Police says the suspect remains in custody undergoing processing ahead of her arraignment in court.
Meanwhile, detectives have intensified the search for the second suspect as investigations into the fraudulent gold syndicate continue.
Gold scams targeting foreign investors have become increasingly common in Kenya over the years, with fraudsters often using fake documentation, rented offices, and staged meetings to lure victims into multi-million shilling schemes.
