Cameroonian arrested over Sh80 million gold scam targeting Canadian investor
The suspect, Francis Talla Oufa, also known as Allain, is accused of luring the victim into the fake gold deal in November 2024, promising massive returns from the purchase of 250 kilograms of gold.
A Cameroonian national has been arrested by detectives from the Operation Support Unit (OSU) for allegedly masterminding a gold scam that defrauded a Canadian citizen of over Sh80 million ($618,000).
The suspect, Francis Talla Oufa, also known as Allain, is accused of luring the victim into the fake gold deal in November 2024, promising massive returns from the purchase of 250 kilograms of gold.
"In November 2024, while still in Canada, the victim was drawn into an enticing deal involving the purchase of 250 kilograms of gold. Lured by the promise of hefty returns, he travelled to Kenya in April 2025 to seal the deal," the DCI said in a statement on X on Thursday.
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When the victim arrived in Kenya, he was reportedly taken to upscale offices by the suspect's supposed business partner, as part of an elaborate scheme to make the gold enterprise appear legitimate.
"He was ushered into plush, high-end offices by an alleged business partner, an elaborate front designed to project the illusion of a thriving, legitimate gold enterprise," said the DCI.
The victim was later introduced to a network of swindlers who convinced him to invest $618,000 in the alleged gold scheme, only to later realise that he had been conned.
DCI detectives immediately jumped into action after the incident was reported, tracing the suspect to a house in Dagoretti.
"A search was conducted in the suspect's vehicle and residence in Belfair Park, Dagoretti and the following items recovered: gold transaction-related documents and seals, a staff card for Sunshine Minerals Ltd bearing the suspect's name with the designation "Engineer Mining", two laptops, three mobile phones and other items linked to the scheme," said the DCI.
The suspect was subsequently placed into custody, where he remains pending arraignment on fraud-related charges. A manhunt is currently underway for his accomplices.
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