Kenyan Among Four Arrested in Gigiri Gold Scam Operation

Police have arrested four suspects, including a Kenyan national, in connection with an elaborate gold fraud scheme that has defrauded victims of substantial amounts of money.

The suspects were identified as Patroba Odhiambo Tobias (Kenyan), Isaac Forkay Sleyon, Omong Ekoume Louis, and Wadja Bangsi Tang. They were apprehended during a coordinated raid by detectives from the Operation Support Unit at a residential property on Whispers Avenue in Gigiri.

The operation yielded significant evidence of the fraudulent enterprise. Investigators recovered sophisticated equipment including a gold smelting machine and precision weighing scales, suggesting the gang was producing counterfeit gold products. Also seized were multiple rubber stamps bearing the names of various companies – Alaska Express Freight Group Ltd, Longcrane Logistics Limited, and Kakan Traders and Company – along with plastic seals and documents stamped with East African Community insignia.m

The arrest comes amid growing concerns about gold scam operations targeting foreign nationals. Authorities revealed that Alaska Express Freight Group Ltd, one of the companies whose stamps were found during the raid, is already under investigation for allegedly defrauding two Canadian citizens of USD 37,500 in a separate incident last week.

The sophisticated nature of the operation suggests the suspects were running a well-organized scheme designed to convince victims they were purchasing legitimate gold through established companies. The use of official-looking stamps and documentation appears to have been central to their method of gaining victims’ trust.

All four suspects remain in police custody as investigators prepare to file formal charges. The case highlights ongoing challenges with precious metals fraud in Kenya, particularly schemes targeting international investors and visitors.

Police have not disclosed the total amount allegedly stolen by the group or the number of victims involved, as investigations continue.