A group of 31 suspects implicated in a high-profile gold scam appeared before a Nairobi court on Monday, as the prosecution sought more time to supply crucial CCTV evidence to the defence. The suspects are accused of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme targeting foreign nationals with the promise of selling 35 kilograms of gold.
The prosecution told the court it was not ready to proceed with the hearing, citing delays in availing the CCTV footage which forms a key part of their evidence. They also indicated that the two complainants Sonali Purbia Malviya and Mohamed Adel, both foreign nationals based in Dubai were prepared to testify virtually. The trial magistrate, Dolphina Alego, expressed concern over the delay, even suggesting the possibility of closing the case temporarily and reopening it once the prosecution was fully prepared. However, the prosecution opposed the idea and apologized for the holdup.
The suspects are charged with multiple counts of fraud. The main accusation involves defrauding the two Dubai-based complainants of USD 54,300 (approximately Ksh.7 million) between August 24 and October 19, 2024. They allegedly convinced the victims that they could supply gold to a Dubai firm, Integrous Gold and Diamond Trading LLC, under false pretenses.
According to court documents, the suspects purported to be in a position to deliver 35 kilograms of gold to the company. However, investigations revealed that the gold did not exist and the entire operation was part of a well-coordinated scam targeting unsuspecting investors.
The court has directed that the matter be mentioned tomorrow to confirm whether the CCTV footage has been shared with the defence. The footage is expected to provide key insights into the alleged fraudulent activities.
The full hearing of the case has been scheduled for July 29, 2025. The outcome of this case is likely to be closely watched, given the rising concerns over gold-related scams in Kenya and their impact on the country’s reputation in international trade.
