Prime suspect in multi-trillion-dollar fraud arrested in Nairobi

Part of the cash recovered during an operation in Nairobi. [DCI, X]

The main suspect in the multi-trillion-dollar fraud has been arrested at a hideout in Nairobi, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) says.

The suspect, according to detectives from the Operations Support unit was flushed out while hiding at an area in Gigiri, Nairobi.

He is believed to be the mastermind of the fake USD 439 trillion mega fraud targeting two Dutch businessmen.

"Isaiah Aluodo Belek who is believed to have authored communications with the complainants joins his eight accomplices who were arraigned at Milimani Law Courts on Friday," said DCI on X.

Authorities have also seized a Mercedes Benz believed to have been used in committing the crime.

The suspect will be arraigned on Monday, November 20.

On Wednesday, detectives arrested eight other suspects linked to the mega fraud.

The sleuths from the Operations Support Unit managed to recover several cash boxes with fake US dollars, military boots, suspected stolen jungle fatigues for Administration Police, and customs reflector jackets at a warehouse in Nairobi.

The eight who were arraigned yesterday are facing charges of conspiracy to defraud, and being in possession of forged banknotes and police uniforms, among others.

According to detectives, the two Dutch nationals had entered into a cash-on-transit deal involving the USD 439 trillion destined for Dubai from the Central Bank of Togo.

Unknowingly, detectives were trailing the movement of the cash undercover, when they pounced on the fraudsters.