Nigerian arrested for conning Iraqi in Sh8m fake gold deal
A Nigerian has been arrested for defrauding an Iraqi businessman of Sh8 million in a fake gold deal in Nairobi.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested Rahim Taku from his Kilimani residence as he was waiting for an extra Sh10 million to deliver the alleged gold.
The complainant, Mustafa Wajidi Anwer, a businessman who operates between his country and Dubai, had been contacted by the suspect who has been in Nairobi for the last two years pretending he would sell and deliver to him 10kg gold.
Taku, together with another Kenyan then directed the Iraqi businessman to make a down payment of Sh8 million, promising to deliver the cargo as soon as the first installment is made.
However, after sending the money, they told the businessman that more cash was needed to ship the cargo.
Compelling reasons
He was to send an additional Sh11 million but decided to travel to Nairobi to meet the sellers. He later realised he had been scammed and reported the matter to DCI’s Operations Support Unit (OSU).
Investigations were launched leading to arrest of the suspect.
DCI has warned that the scamming had reached unprecedented proportions with negative ramifications both for the reputation and economy of the country.
“While Kenya does not produce much gold, tons of the commodity are being traded through the country whereby scores of foreign gold buyers have lost millions of dollars in a scam which has continued despite efforts by the government and reports in the media,” a recent DCI report stated.
Director of DCI Mohamed Amin said this is the latest incident to be reported and vowed to crush gold scammers operating in Nairobi. “We have deployed teams to pursue the scammers and ensure sanity. We are looking for more suspects in connection with the latest incident,” Amin said.
It comes as more foreigners flock Nairobi to lodge complaints of being scammed of money in fake gold deals.
The recent confidential report by DCI also revealed that gold scammers were colluding with rogue Immigration Department officials to intimidate foreign businessmen and their witnesses after defrauding them.
Report further stated that the rogue officers were even placing red alerts of deporting foreigners who have been defrauded without compelling reasons.
Amin said dozens of cases are pending in court and warned foreigners against falling into trap of the scammers.
We have deployed teams to pursue the scammers and ensure sanity. We are looking for more suspects DCI has also urged Embassies and High Commissions to advise their nationals coming in for business, adding that they should first contact the Department of Mines and Geology for procedure that pertains to buying and selling of gold and other precious metals.
