Two held after selling fake gold at Sh8 million to Italian national

Two suspects were at the weekend arrested after they sold fake gold nuggets to an Italian national at Sh8.8 million.

The two who include a Zambian national and a Kenyan had obtained the money in US dollar currency pretending they would supply the gold to the foreigner.

Police raided their house in Kileleshwa, Nairobi where they established a fake refinery. The suspects are expected in court on Monday morning.

DCI George Kinoti renewed his call on foreigners seeking to buy gold in Kenya to seek authorities’ advise.

This is the latest such arrest in a crackdown that has seen more than 50 suspects nabbed and charged in court in the past four months for dealing in fake gold.

Most of those in courts obtained money from unsuspecting buyers after posing as possible sellers.

This followed complaints to police by those conned.

The complaints and subsequent probe into the matter forced police to raise concerns over rising cases where foreigners are conned of money by Kenyans operating with fake gold bars.

Kinoti urged Embassies and High Commissions to advise their nationals coming in for business.

"The gold scam has now reached alarming levels as unsuspecting foreign nationals are being swindled large amounts of money by fraudsters," he said.

Kinoti said Kenyans and foreign nationals must ensure that they conduct due diligence on the person(s) they intend to engage in the gold buying business.

The police boss 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.