Foreign Student In Kenya Charged in Sh16M Crypto Scam Alongside Partner

A foreign student pursuing his studies at the University of Nairobi and his Kenyan accomplice have been charged with defrauding a Rwandan national of Sh15.36 million in an elaborate cryptocurrency scam that has highlighted the growing sophistication of digital fraud schemes targeting unsuspecting investors.

Jesus Godoua Imedii, a student from the Central African Republic, and Judith Mbatha Nzioka appeared before Magistrate Carolyne Mugo at the Milimani Law Courts on May 26, 2025, where they faced charges of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretenses.

The duo is accused of defrauding Tuyishime Grace of 116,000 USDT (Tether), equivalent to approximately Sh15.36 million, on April 30, 2025. According to court documents, the alleged crime took place at the prestigious Serena Hotel in Nairobi, where the suspects reportedly presented themselves as experienced cryptocurrency traders capable of assisting the victim with trading on the Binance platform.

The prosecution told the court that the accused falsely portrayed themselves as intermediaries within the Binance ecosystem, exploiting the victim’s limited knowledge of cryptocurrency trading. Using what prosecutors described as “false claims and deceptive digital maneuvers,” they allegedly convinced Grace to transfer the substantial sum in USDT, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar.

Both suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges, which fall under Sections 317 and 313 of Kenya’s Penal Code. The case represents a growing trend of cryptocurrency-related fraud that combines sophisticated digital deception with traditional confidence tricks.

The prosecution opposed the release of the accused on bond, expressing particular concern about Imedii’s foreign nationality and the fact that his residence in Kenya had not been established. Despite these objections, the Senior Magistrate granted bail, setting bond at Sh3 million each or alternative cash bail of Sh1.5 million.

The suspects were arrested on the same day the alleged offense occurred and remained in custody until their court appearance. They are scheduled to return to court on May 28, 2025, for a ruling on their bail application, with a pre-trial hearing set for June 11, 2025, and the matter continuing on July 21, 2025.

This case underscores the increasing prevalence of cryptocurrency fraud schemes in Kenya, where digital currency adoption has grown rapidly but regulatory frameworks and public awareness remain limited. The involvement of university students in such sophisticated financial crimes has raised particular alarm among law enforcement agencies.

The charges come at a time when Kenyan authorities are grappling with a surge in cryptocurrency-related crimes, as fraudsters exploit the relative anonymity and cross-border nature of digital currencies to target victims both locally and internationally.

Both accused remain innocent until proven guilty under Kenyan law, with court proceedings expected to continue as evidence is presented in the coming months. The case serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with cryptocurrency investments and the need for enhanced public education about digital financial security.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​