A 44-year-old man has been arrested by Kilimani detectives for allegedly swindling a Kenyan woman out of KSh 12 million in a fraudulent land deal. The suspect, identified as Abdi Yusuf Mohamed, was taken into custody after investigations revealed he had deceived the victim into believing he owned a prime piece of land in Garissa Municipality.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Yusuf convinced the woman to transfer the money in multiple installments between June 29 and November 21, 2023. The victim, acting in good faith, paid the amount, unaware that the transaction was a scam. However, when she sought to verify the authenticity of the deal, a search at the Garissa lands registry uncovered the fraud.
Authorities confirmed that the land in question was registered under a different owner, who had legally held the title since its original allocation by the government. This revelation exposed Yusuf’s scheme, leading to his arrest. The DCI has since warned the public to exercise caution when engaging in property transactions, urging buyers to conduct thorough due diligence before making payments.
Land fraud remains a prevalent issue in Kenya, with con artists often targeting unsuspecting buyers by presenting fake title deeds or posing as legitimate sellers. The DCI has advised potential investors to verify land ownership records at official government registries and involve legal professionals in transactions to avoid falling victim to such scams.
Yusuf is expected to be charged in court with obtaining money by false pretense, a crime that carries severe penalties under Kenyan law. The arrest serves as a reminder for citizens to remain vigilant, especially in high-value property deals where fraudsters exploit trust and legal loopholes.
Authorities continue to crack down on fraudulent land dealings, emphasizing the importance of official verification to prevent financial losses. The victim’s case highlights the devastating impact of such scams, which not only result in significant monetary losses but also erode public confidence in legitimate real estate transactions.
The DCI has encouraged anyone with information on similar fraudulent activities to report to the nearest police station for prompt action.
