DCI nabs suspected gold scammer who allegedly defrauded Canadian investor Sh37 million
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Nairobi have arrested Abbas Bardu Omuyoma, alias Ishmael, over his alleged involvement in a gold scam that saw a Canadian investor lose USD 280,000 (about Sh 37 million).
Ishmael was picked up along Dennis Pritt Road following weeks of investigations that were triggered by a formal complaint lodged on September 1, 2025.
The arrest marks a small step toward justice, though the chances of recovering the lost funds remain uncertain.
According to the DCI, Ishmael, working in concert with an accomplice still at large, lured the investor with promises of a lucrative gold deal that turned out to be a sham.
The complainant was deceived into believing he was purchasing gold nuggets and bars purportedly sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Together with an accomplice who remains at large, Ishmael orchestrated a sophisticated conspiracy, luring the unsuspecting investor with promises of 550 kg of gold nuggets and bars purportedly sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo,” DCI twitter.
He transferred the funds in USDT cryptocurrency, only to realize there was no gold forthcoming.
The syndicate, police say, used sophisticated tactics to make the transaction appear legitimate, including forged export documents and claims of connections to high-level mining operations in the DRC. However, after the payment was completed, communication between the fraudsters and the investor went silent.
“Believing he was entering into a legitimate business deal, the investor transferred USD 280,000 via USDT, only to find himself empty-handed; no gold ever materialised as promised,” the statement added.
This is a classic case of transnational fraud where unsuspecting investors are duped into parting with huge sums of money through elaborate tricks.
“Following the complaint, an intensive investigation was launched. Through forensic leads, detectives trailed Ishmael, arresting him along Dennis Pritt Road in Nairobi,” stated police adding that intensified crackdown on such scams is ongoing to protect Kenya’s reputation as an investment destination.
The arrest is the latest in a series of operations targeting organized fraud networks in Nairobi. In recent years, several cases involving fake gold deals have hit international headlines, with investors from Dubai, Europe, and West Africa all falling prey to scams orchestrated from the city.
Police sources revealed that Ishmael had been on their radar for some time, believed to be part of a wider network that specializes in exploiting foreigners’ eager to enter the lucrative but often murky gold trade in East and Central Africa.
“Currently in custody, Ishmael is undergoing processing pending his arraignment. Meanwhile, detectives are hot on the trail of his accomplice, who is still at large.”
His accomplice, whose identity has not been disclosed, is being pursued by detectives.
Fraud of this nature not only affects individuals but also undermines Kenya’s credibility in global trade circles,” said a government official at the Ministry of Mining, who requested anonymity.
“We continue to urge foreign investors to verify all transactions through official government channels before committing funds.”
Currently held in custody, Ishmael is expected to be arraigned once detectives finalize their investigations. The DCI has assured the public that the case will be prosecuted to its full extent.
Over the years, Kenya has emerged as a hotspot for elaborate gold scams, with high-profile cases often involving international victims.
Two years ago, an American investor defrauded more than Sh25 million in yet another gold scam that has rocked Nairobi’s shadowy precious metals trade in the recent past.
According to investigators, the victim was lured into believing he had struck a lucrative deal to acquire 100,000 tons of gold bars. The syndicate behind the con allegedly showcased shiny bars of gold and massive wooden crates, insisting they were filled with the precious metal.
The victim was told to first settle taxes and mining fees before the cons could release the shipment. That was the bait. Once the money changed hands, they vanished.
The foreigner, however, became suspicious after repeated demands for additional payments. He eventually reported the matter to the DCI, prompting a sting operation at a Nairobi warehouse.
Two suspects were arrested at the scene. The DCI confirmed that the suspects were believed to be part of a wider cartel operating in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kampala, preying on unsuspecting foreign investors seeking quick returns from the region’s gold trade.
In 2019, a similar syndicate conned a Dubai royal of millions of dollars, while in 2021, several West African and European investors reported losing fortunes to “briefcase companies” posing as licensed gold dealers.
DCI has warned foreigners against engaging in unverified gold transactions, urging them to conduct due diligence through official government channels.
