Detectives arrest eight in Nairobi fake title deeds syndicate

Eight suspects have been arrested in Nairobi in connection with a syndicate involved in the printing of fake title deeds.

The suspects were arrested in a sting operation conducted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Lands Fraud Unit. The operation took place across Mfangano Street, Kirinyaga Road, Ardhi House, the Government Printer, Ngara, and Kamulu.

The individuals arrested have been identified as Livingstone Ambayi Munala, Emmanuel Mutuku Matheka, Kennedy Mulatya, Paul Muigai Kimani, Daniel Adero Okoth, Patrice Josiah Tumbo, Clifford Wafula, and Nicholas Makuna Muyela.

Munala was arrested in Ngara, Mulatya and Tumbo on Mfangano Street, and Kimani was detained along Kirinyaga Road. Okoth was captured in Kamulu, while Mutuku and Wafula were apprehended at Ardhi House and the Government Printer, respectively.

During the operation, officers recovered a range of items from the suspects, including stolen documents from the Government Printer, printing equipment, fake title deeds, government seals, forged land transfer forms, passport photos of over 100 individuals, and numerous land documents. "The operation followed an intelligence-led sting operation in cooperation with officers from the State Department of Physical Planning, which led to the arrest of eight individuals suspected of orchestrating one of Kenya's most widespread scams," said Juma Machua, who led the operation.

He said the fraudsters targeted unsuspecting land buyers, issuing them with title deeds that appeared authentic. They were found to be facilitating the sale of non-existent land and reselling land that already had legitimate owners.

"Victims often only realise they've been scammed when they attempt to develop the land. A further shocking discovery is that the suspects have been using the fake title deeds to acquire loans, thereby undermining financial institutions," Machua added.

Machua has urged prospective land buyers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious transactions to the authorities.