Gold Scammers Arrested in Ksh15.5 Million Fraud Scheme

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Five suspects involved in a gold scam that defrauded two businessmen, a Romanian and a Swiss national, out of USD 120,000 (Ksh 15.5 million) have been arrested and are now in police custody.

The suspects include Lamarca J. Benjamin, also known as Morlon Jean Emmanuel, who is believed to be the mastermind and CEO of AFREX Bridge Connections Ltd, along with Samson Kibet Sirkoi, Lucy Gitonga, Rose Kambua, and Justine Adhiambo, 25.

They were apprehended at various locations across the country.

The scam came to light following a complaint filed at Wilson Airport Police Station on January 29.

The complainants reported being contacted by an intermediary who informed them that Lamarca was selling 550kg of gold, supposedly stored at a warehouse at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) awaiting clearance.

The gold was set to be shipped once a payment was made on January 20.

The victims, lured by the promise of a lucrative deal, made the full payment but were led in circles by the fraudsters thereafter.

Investigators launched an operation and raided the offices of AFREX Bridge Connections Ltd, where they seized key evidence.

Lucy Gitonga and Rose Kambua were the first to be arrested.

On January 31, Samson Kibet Sirkoi, 34, was also taken into custody, while on February 2, Lamarca (alias Morlon) and Justine Adhiambo were apprehended at Mount Kenya Wildlife Estate in Nanyuki’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

During the arrests, detectives recovered two Glock pistols, 96 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a pair of handcuffs, an Apple MacBook, six expired mineral licenses, and a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 (Reg. No. KCW 880M).

They also found three 9mm tracer bullets, 14 smoke grenades, a bulletproof vest, and various official seals and stamps at Lamarca’s residence in Kileleshwa, Nairobi.

The Firearms Licensing Board has confirmed that Lamarca is not a licensed firearm holder.

While Lucy Gitonga and Rose Kambua have already been arraigned and granted custodial orders to complete the investigation, the remaining suspects are scheduled for court today.

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