?s=19@DCI_Kenya I hope that you will arrest Matiangi and Wetangula who are involved in the gold scam. pic.twitter.com/CcmcuiEYOZ
— Robert ALAI, HSC (@RobertAlai) May 13, 2019
?s=19Ama vipi @DCI_Kenya pic.twitter.com/tfFIPnnaFF
— Robert ALAI, HSC (@RobertAlai) May 13, 2019
— Robert ALAI, HSC (@RobertAlai) May 13, 2019?s=19
A senator is under investigation in a suspected Sh400 million gold scam that saw a cartel swindle the United Arab Emirates royal family.
The legislator is reportedly among six people being investigated for the alleged fraud that has prompted a protest to Kenya by the vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, and ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
At the centre of the investigation is extortion of millions of shillings purportedly to secure release of five tonnes of gold that had allegedly been seized at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi.
The “seizure” was supposedly the first tranche of a 23-tonne gold consignment that was to be brought from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Police investigations show the senator flew to Dubai to convince the royal family he would use his connections to have the said gold released.
Apart from the senator, the other suspects include a politician and a businessman who runs a private jet leasing company based at Wilson Airport. They have all denied wrong doing.
According to investigations, the scheme started on September 25, 2018, when the group approached a nephew of Sheikh Maktoum, Mr Ali Zandi, who represents Zlivia Company, a gold trading company based in Dubai.
They said they would deliver 4.6 tonnes of gold from Ndande Tribe in DR Congo. The gold haul was to be moved by road via Uganda. For them to deliver the consignment, they needed financial facilitation.
The group reportedly used known gold dealers, including a Russian national, to state there was a huge amount of gold in DRC ready for movement to Dubai.
On September 27, the Kenyans said the gold had been detained by customs officials at JKIA.
According to the police, this prompted Massoud Zandi, a representative of the gold trading company, to call the senator for help.
On December 15, 2018, the senator flew to Dubai on the invitation of Zandi for a meeting during which he assured them he would help secure the release of the gold.
However, Zandi declined the demands for cash to facilitate the release and instead flew to Kenya on December 24, last year.
His efforts to meet senior Kenyan government officials were unsuccessful. Instead, the Kenyan contacts, including the senator, took him to JKIA where he was shown sealed boxes purportedly containing the gold.
Apparently, the extortion ring includes some Government officials who facilitate the movements of their victims to the secure section at JKIA where they have leased space for their fraudulent businesses.
On January 21, this year, Zandi, who was still in the country, was moved to another hotel to meet a ‘senior government official’ who would facilitate the release of the precious cargo.
Those behind the scheme organised imposters, one masquerading as a powerful cabinet secretary, whom they drove at night in two four-wheel drive cars to the hotel in Karen.
Zandi is said to have met the Government official in his car and who assured that the gold would be released. He flew back to Dubai after a month but the said gold never got to Dubai.
The police say there was no such gold held at the airport.
So far, Sheikh Maktoum has written to Kenya to complain about the scam and demanded action on those behind it.
In the letter addressed to Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, the Sheikh requests immediate action regarding the shipment of gold under “our company’s name Zlivia which is being retained by your authorities in Kenya.”
In the January 20 letter, the Sheikh acknowledges he understands the delay “was caused by the last terrorist attack in your country” apparently referring to the dusitD2 terror attack.
“Nevertheless, now we need your immediate and strong action to release the totality of Zlivia Gold shipment to UEA as soon as possible and accordingly to the instructions by our General Manager Mr Zandi who is there in Kenya to organise the shipment.”
“It is quite urgent to solve this issue the earliest,” the letter says in part.
On Friday, two people were taken to a Nairobi court over the suspected fraud scheme.
Russian national Yulian Stankov and Mohammed Rashi, who are wanted for transnational crime, were arraigned before the Milimani Law Courts.
False pretenses
They were arrested on suspicion of obtaining money through false pretences after claiming they would sell up to five tonnes of gold to Dubai.
The two will be presented in court tomorrow when the police are expected to have completed investigations.
The investigators stated Stankov did not have identification documents, putting to question the legality of his presence in Kenya.
Detectives also requested to access cell phones of the accused persons for detailed assessment by cyber crime experts.
The latest case has prompted the police to raise concerns over rising cases where foreigners are conned out of their money by fraudsters with fake gold bars.
Yesterday, Directorate of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti urged embassies and high commissions to advise their nationals coming in for business.
The top detective said foreigners should first contact the Department of Mines and Geology for procedure that pertains to buying and selling of gold and other precious metals.
Kenya is full of conmen. I do not think Matiang'i was involved. Weta I can believe as the guy will do anything to remain financially and politically relevant.
?s=19“We have information that Jared Otieno paid Sh110 million cash for this house and we have found things in the house that belong to him,” said a police officer involved in the investigation https://t.co/4aWQVOKwCA
— TheStarKenya (@TheStarKenya) May 16, 2019
?s=19DPP's Press Statement on Audio Clip Titled "WETANGULA EXPOSED IN FAKE GOLD SCAM" pic.twitter.com/nBouGYZXBl
— Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions (@ODPP_KE) May 18, 2019
Bazungu can forget but those Arabs are no joke.They may kill Weta even in Kenya.Going to or thro Dubai now out of questions.
Look like Raila men finally found a niche in fake gold - all endorsed from Baba himself
..
I see Joyce Akinyi of Anthony Chinedu fame. I guess it makes sense she would be in this kind of "business" too. Africans are resourceful, but there are very few legitimate hustling avenues open to them. I don't care if they scam Arabs or even Westerners. But they have to figure out a way to do it sustainably.
You sure is that infamous Joyce Akinyi aka sidekick of MP Raphael Wanjala?
There must be many Joyce Akinyis out there in Kavirondo.I see Joyce Akinyi of Anthony Chinedu fame. I guess it makes sense she would be in this kind of "business" too. Africans are resourceful, but there are very few legitimate hustling avenues open to them. I don't care if they scam Arabs or even Westerners. But they have to figure out a way to do it sustainably.
Look like Raila men finally found a niche in fake gold - all endorsed from Baba himself
(https://scontent.fnbo2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60616570_2368004156751612_6022833893311250432_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_ht=scontent.fnbo2-1.fna&oh=c61a7175dd99fd6d681771b0732dd246&oe=5D699F03)
In what capacity did Raila travel to Dubai for voice recognition?