Foreigners, Kenyan Held Over KSh 15M Crypto Fraud at Nairobi’s Serena Hotel

Two foreigners and a Kenyan will remain in custody for 14 days to allow police to conclude investigations into Sh 15 million crypto currency fraud.

Godua Imendji Jesus Pierrot, Liao Jinxiang and Judith Mbatha Nzioka are accused of defrauding a Rwandese National the said money after luring her to Kenya for online trading opportunities.

Grace Tuyishime told police that on 26th April 2025, she was induced by the second respondent (Jinxiang) to travel to Kenya where she would be introduced into the crypto currency business.

The first respondent (Pierrot) allegedly booked a flight ticket for her to travel to Kenya on 29th April 2025.

The court heard that upon her arrival at Serena hotel, Pierrot introduced her as his guest to the management.

On the same date, she met the three respondents who introduced her to the business of crypto currency trading.

According to an affidavit by Inspector Beth Kariuki, Pierrot offered Tuyishime to trade with USD 120,000 which she did not have and they agreed to meet the following day.

“That the complainant was forced to borrow money from friends and relatives in Uganda,” Inspector Kariuki said.

The investigating officer added that on 30th April 2025, they allegedly traded with USD 120,000 whereby USD 116,600 was raised by the complainant while USD 4,000 was raised by Pierrot to fit his interest.

“Upon trading, the complainant lost the whole amount and this resulted in a commotion within the hotel. The complainant opted to report the matter at Central Police Station,” the officer said.

Under OB No. 83/30/04/2025 reported by Elizabeth Njeri, a Manager at Serena hotel she received a call from the Hotel security head on 30th April informing her that there was a commotion at the belonging Tuyishime.

The court heard that the in-charge house keeper of the Hotel met Jinxiang shouting that money had been stolen which prompted the hotel security to call police officers from Central Police station.

The officers established that this was a police case but before leaving with the suspects, the hotel insisted that Pierrot and Jinxiang should first clear their bills which they had accumulated.

“That the 1st respondent had allegedly accumulated a bill of Sh 118,842 from 26th February 2025 to 30th April 2025. The 2nd respondent had accumulated a bill of Sh 82,886 from 27th April to 30th April 2025,” the investigating officer stated.

However, the two became adamant and refused to clear the hotel bills.

The court heard that the investigators need 14 days to detain the suspects as they are a flight risk and may interfere with investigations.

They also need time to have their passports verified, get mobile data from Safaricom among others.

Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego granted the police the 14 days and directed the suspects to be detained at Central Police Station.

The case will be mentioned on 19th May 2025.