DCI arrests gold scammers in USD 120,000 business deal

Margaret Kalekye
3 Min Read

Five suspects implicated in a gold scam that defrauded two businessmen, a Romanian and a Swiss national, of USD 120,000 are in police custody.

The suspects include the alleged mastermind and CEO of AFREX Bridge Connections Ltd, Lamarca J. Benjamin, also known as Morlon Jean Emmanuel, as well as Samson Kibet Sirkoi, Lucy Gitonga, Rose Kambua, and Justine Adhiambo, 25.

They were arrested at various locations across the country following a complaint filed at Wilson Airport Police Station on January 29, 2025.

The victims are alleged to have been approached by a contact person who informed them that the prime suspect (Lamarca) was in the business of selling 550kg of gold.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which launched the investigation, the gold was allegedly stored in a warehouse at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) awaiting clearance. The gold was set to be transported on January 20, 2025, once the payment of USD 120,000 was made.

“The complainants made the full payment, only to be taken in circles thereafter. Launching investigations, detectives raided AFREX Bridge Connections Ltd offices where a number of crucial evidence was collected, and the first two suspects; Lucy Gitonga and Rose Kambua, were arrested” the DCI said.

34-year-old Samson Kibet Sirkoi was also taken into custody on January 31st, before the officers proceeded to Mount Kenya Wildlife Estate in Nanyuki’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy on February 2, where Lamarca alias Morlon and Justine Adhiambo were arrested.

“From therein, two Glock Pistols, 96 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a pair of handcuffs, a laptop make apple, one MacBook and 6 expired mineral licences were confiscated. Also recovered was a motor vehicle Reg. No KCW 880M make Toyota Landcruiser V8 silver in colour among other assorted documents,” the detectives added.

The two suspects were then escorted to Riverside Pearl residence in Kileleshwa within Nairobi where more exhibits were found including three 9mm tracer bullets, 14 smoke grenades, a bulletproof vest and assorted seals and stamps.

The Firearms Licensing Board has since confirmed that the said Lamarca alias Morlon is not a licensed firearm holder.

Whereas Lucy and Kambua were earlier arraigned and the investigators granted custodial orders to complete investigations, the remaining suspects are scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday, Tuesday 4th.

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