DCI Flush Out Mastermind In USD 439 Trillion Scam From Nairobi Estate
DCI revealed that the suspect was flushed out of his Gigiri hideout in Nairobi by the Operations Support detectives
Marvin Chege 
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested the mastermind of the USD 439 trillion mega fraud scheme targeting two foreign businessmen from the Netherlands.
In a statement on Saturday, November 18, DCI revealed that the suspect was flushed out of his Gigiri hideout in Nairobi by the Operations Support detectives.
Isaiah Aluodo Belek who is believed to have authored communications with the complainants joined his 8 accomplices who were arraignment at Milimani Law Courts on Friday, November 17.
Isaiah Aluodo Belek, the prime suspect in the USD 439 trillion fraud scheme targeting two Dutch nationals. /DCI
"Charges of conspiracy to defraud, being in possession of forged bank notes and possessing police uniforms were preferred against the accused, who pleaded not guilty and sought to be released on bond.
The prosecution objected and the determination will be made on November 21," stated the DCI in part.
Meanwhile, Aluodo remains in police custody being processed for arraignment on Monday, November 20.
His Mercedes Benz which is believed to be a proceed of fraud has also been detained.
DCI previously revealed that the suspects were arrested following an operation mounted at a warehouse in Nairobi.
During the operation, several boxes stashed with fake US dollars, suspected stolen jungle fatigues for Administration Police (AP) officers, military boots, and customs reflector jackets among other recoveries were seized.
The detectives shed light on the planned fraud scheme in which the foreigners were contacted via WhatsApp regarding a consignment of 40 pallets held at a customs warehouse.
"In this orchestrated fraudulent scheme, the foreigners were contacted through a WhatsApp call by a number registered in the name 'Canopy Shield Agencies', by a caller who informed them that their consignment of 40 pallets had been held at the Kenya Customs Warehouse pending duty fee payment of USD 36,000 (Ksh5.5 million).
"Allegedly, the complainants had entered into a cash-on-transit deal involving Ksh439 trillion destined for Dubai from the Central Bank of Togo," stated the DCI.
However, the said figure by the DCI raised questions among Kenyans who sought clarity on how the individuals could be involved in a scam that was 10 times more than the economies of the United States (US) and China.
To put it in perspective, the US economy is worth $26 trillion, while China’s economy in 2023 was worth $18 trillion.
"The amount was provided for by the Netherlands. We were also shocked. After interrogations, we will give an update on any developments," defended the DCI.
According to experts, counting USD 439 trillion using money counting machine that takes in 1,000 notes per minute, it would take about 8,000 days to finish the count.
