On October 28, 2023, a group of four individuals conducted an attack and robbery on a foreign couple, deceiving them with fake gold worth over Ksh13.5 million in Nairobi's Runda area. Subsequently, the suspects have been apprehended.
Jack Ouma Okwiri, Nashon Otieno Angudha, and Felix Ochieng' Nyongesa were detained during a targeted operation at The Social House Nairobi Hotel in Lavington. Meanwhile, the fourth suspect, Ronald Arani Kirera, was apprehended at an office establishment located in Runda Glory Valley no. 685.
In a case that may lead to charges of robbery with violence, attempted rape, and kidnapping, an Australian man and his Ugandan wife were enticed to travel from Uganda to Kenya by their would-be assailants under the pretense of a gold business deal in Nairobi.
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A contact person, who went by the name 'Raymond from England', had earlier facilitated the connection between the couple and Felix Ochieng Nyongesa, who presented himself as the seller. Following a series of WhatsApp conversations, Felix arranged for the couple to meet him at the Village Market in Gigiri, Nairobi on October 28, where the purported business was to take place.
Upon reaching the designated location, Felix dispatched a driver who collected them in a Toyota Prado and transported them to the office building on Glory Rd in Runda. There, more than ten men were lying in ambush.
The situation rapidly escalated from the initial courteous treatment to a violent assault that subdued the couple. The man endured severe blows and strangulation, while his wife pleaded for their lives. Unfortunately, she was not spared either, as the gang restrained her with handcuffs, subjecting her to repeated slaps and inappropriate touching.
SUSPECTS IN FOREIGN COUPLE KIDNAPPING AND ROBBERY NABBED BY DETECTIVES.
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) November 2, 2023
Four suspects who on October 28, 2023 attacked and robbed a foreign couple over Sh13.5 million in a fake gold decoy to Nairobi's Runda area have been arrested.
Jack Ouma Okwiri, Nashon Otieno Angudha, Felix… pic.twitter.com/N1hIsuT2g1
The couple eventually had their $60,000 in cash stolen, along with other jewelry worth over $30,000.
The couple, terrified, severely hurt, and in excruciating pain, was thrown back into the Prado and left at Rehema Hse in the CBD. They were taken to a South B hospital by good samaritans, where they received treatment, and then they reported to DCI Gigiri.
Four people were detained and forensically placed at the location of the crime by an operation team and criminal research detectives who went on a manhunt for the offenders. At their Runda office, counterfeit golden metal bars, military boots, reflector jackets for customs, money counting equipment, counterfeit mine certificates, stamps, a Kenyan flag, and KRA certificates were all seized along with their arrest.
The DCI warns of a rise in gold scams and related frauds as more investigations are conducted. They also alert prospective victims of the presence of well-organized criminal rings that have not yet been put an end to. But investigators are getting more and more skilled at taking down con artists, and it's only a matter of time until justice overcomes their impunity.