Detectives in Nairobi have arrested two men accused of defrauding a Chinese national Ksh.6.5 million in a cryptocurrency scam at Rose Gardens, Kileleshwa. The suspects, Benson Macharia and Robinson Okwemo Nyandoro, were apprehended by Kilimani Police officers following an elaborate scheme that left the foreigner financially devastated.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspects posed as cryptocurrency exchange experts, convincing the victim that they could facilitate a large-scale conversion of cash into cryptocurrency. However, the transaction quickly turned into a well-orchestrated theft.
Nyandoro, one of the suspects, allegedly fled with the money in a carrier bag through a backdoor while Macharia, posing as a technician, reassured the victim that the process was still ongoing. As time passed and the transaction failed to materialize, the foreigner realized he had been conned and reported the incident at Kileleshwa Police Station.
Acting swiftly, detectives launched investigations, leading to the arrest of Macharia, who was arraigned at the Kibera Magistrate’s Court. He pleaded not guilty and was released on a Ksh.1 million bail, with a surety of the same amount.
Meanwhile, Nyandoro was tracked down and arrested on February 27, 2025, at The Hub in Karen. During his arrest, detectives recovered Ksh.500,000, believed to be part of the stolen money. A subsequent search at his residence in KMA Estate, Lang’ata, did not yield the remaining funds.
Nyandoro was arraigned in court on Friday, where he also pleaded not guilty. Unlike Macharia, he was denied immediate bail and has been detained at Industrial Area Prison pending the determination of his bond terms, scheduled for March 4, 2025.
The DCI has since warned the public against falling prey to fraudulent cryptocurrency dealings, urging individuals to verify the legitimacy of any exchange platforms before making transactions. Cases of cryptocurrency-related fraud have been on the rise, with criminals taking advantage of unsuspecting investors eager to engage in digital asset trading.
Investigations into the case continue as authorities work to recover the remaining stolen funds and ensure justice for the victim.
