Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a woman suspected of being behind a gold fraud scheme that defrauded an American national of millions of shillings in Nairobi.
The suspect, identified as Mildred Kache, also known as Sabreena Ayesha, was apprehended following a targeted operation by investigators pursuing leads in the case.
According to authorities, officers tracked the suspect to an apartment within the Kilimani area. Upon arrival, she reportedly locked herself inside in an attempt to evade arrest.
Investigators say she later tried to escape by climbing over a perimeter wall but was quickly overpowered and taken into custody. She is now being held as detectives continue with investigations.
The case revolves around a fraudulent gold transaction that saw an American investor lose approximately $447,000 (about Sh55.7 million).
The victim had reportedly been convinced to invest in what was presented as a legitimate gold export deal involving large quantities of the precious metal.
Over time, the suspect and her associates allegedly demanded multiple payments under different pretexts, including processing, transport, insurance, and documentation fees.
Despite the payments, no gold was ever delivered.
Investigators believe the operation was carefully orchestrated to appear credible. The suspects are said to have used forged paperwork, staged negotiations, and elaborate representations to convince the victim of the deal’s authenticity.
Authorities further revealed that the funds were transmitted through cryptocurrency channels, a move believed to have been intended to obscure financial trails and complicate recovery efforts.
A co-suspect, identified as Ahmed Bashar Mohamed, is also linked to the case and is suspected to have played a role in handling or moving the funds through digital platforms.
The DCI has indicated that the case may be part of a broader network involved in similar fraudulent activities targeting foreign investors.
Detectives are actively pursuing additional suspects believed to have been involved in the scheme, with some reported to be on the run.
Investigations are ongoing, with authorities focusing on tracing financial transactions, communication records, and potential links to other related cases.
The incident adds to a growing number of reported gold fraud cases in Nairobi, where individuals and syndicates pose as legitimate dealers to lure unsuspecting investors.
Officials have repeatedly cautioned both local and international investors to exercise due diligence and verify the legitimacy of any gold trading arrangements before committing funds.
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