Iranian Man Seeks DCI Help After Losing Ksh68 Million To Gold Scam

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives arrested three suspects who were later arraigned at Milimani Law Courts in connection to a gold scam worth Ksh65 million. 

Patrick Ngare, Kelvin Mwaura Ngotho, and Muke Wa Mansoni Didier a Congolese were arraigned on Wednesday, April 19 for defrauding one Sadegh Sadeghan.

According to the DCI's report on Thursday, April 20, Sadegh was an Iranian National who was promised that he would be sold 60 kilograms of gold worth Ksh65 million.

A pistol with bullets and gold bars weighing 60 kilograms recovered by the DCI on April 20, 2023. /DCI

"Sadegh had previously approached one Mr Sadiki Etonga who posed as the seller of the precious metal. The two then entered into a deal and a deposit of USD 50,000 (Ksh6.8 million) was made before the remaining amount of USD450,000 (Ksh60.9 million)," stated the DCI in part.

After the agreement, Sadegh was then introduced to three companies that would allegedly actualize the transaction, one of them whose partner was a Kenyan using a name that was an alias to his real one.

They included Newline Logistics Limited headed by a CEO only known as Mark together with his partner Calvin Ngotho whose real name was later discovered to be Kelvin Mwaura Ngotho. 

The other two were Oriex International Cargo Freight and Royal Ultra Vault Limited. 

Sadegh would soon discover that the three companies would play him after the consignment he ordered failed to be delivered.

"However, Sadegh became suspicious that all was not well after failed delivery of the consignment on the agreed-upon date before he rushed to detectives for assistance," added the DCI.

The detectives responded by arresting the three suspects and recovering a sophisticated Steyr pistol coupled with 103 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a firearm certificate and Ksh600,000 in cash.

The Steyr M is a series of semi-automatic pistols developed by Steyr Mannlicher GmbH and Co KG of Austria for police services and the civilian shooting market.

"Also recovered was a Thermo Scientific precious metal analyser, Motor vehicle plates KDH 317L & KDH 592Q and assorted chequebooks. 

"Fake gold bars made of crushed padlocks powder were also recovered from the scammers," added the DCI.