A group of local and international crooks has created a thriving enterprise in Nairobi, which is minting billions by luring gullible investors who want to cut corners to multiply their riches.
On January 17 this year, two men and one woman were arrested for allegedly defrauding a foreigner, Christophe Francois Berillion, of $192,500 (Sh19.25 million) by pretending to sell him gold.
Today early morning, raid by the DCI along Kiboko/Mukoma road led to the recovery of millions of fake US Dollars, Zambian Kwachas and over 100 kilograms of fake Gold nuggets. Four foreigners-1 Congolese, 2 Tanzanians, 1 Nigerian-and 4 Kenyans got arrested.
While on Monday detectives acting on information arrested four Rwandese nationals-Niyitegeka
The racket, a local daily revealed, is made up of crooked police officers, fast-talking wheeler-dealers, immigration officers, bankers, high-end hotels and judicial officers, who share the billions scammed from victims drawn from as far as America.
The racketeers at times send scouts to popular tourist destinations like Dubai, where they check into presidential suites in five-star hotels and pretended to be mingling with the rich and famous.
After creating such an impression, the planners then open as many as 50 Facebook accounts using all manner of disguises – ranging from love-crazed ladies from Europe, Asia or America.
When circumstances demand, they also pretend to be super-rich businessmen who can assist one make instant millions of shillings in Nairobi.
Sources privy to the ongoing investigations say the cartel uses rented houses to print the money. The houses are equipped with the printers, and have supplies of vitamin C, iodine liquid, paper cutting machines and rims of white papers.
In the privacy of the bank’s secluded safety deposit box rooms, the investor feels secure after the “business partner” gets a box from the safe containing money and gold allegedly paid by some of the investors in the deal. Some of the deals are done in five-star hotels.