A man has been arrested in connection with a case involving the defrauding of a woman out of Ksh12 million in a land sale scam in Garissa. The arrest followed a thorough investigation conducted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which revealed that the accused, 44-year-old Abdi Yusuf Mohamed, had deceived the woman into believing that he was selling her a prime piece of land in Garissa Municipality.
According to the investigation, Yusuf received the money from the victim in multiple installments through his personal bank account between June 29 and November 21, 2023. The total amount defrauded amounted to Ksh12 million. The victim, believing she was making a legitimate purchase, transferred the funds as instructed by the suspect, only to later discover that the land was not for sale by the accused.
Further investigation into the case revealed that the land in question was not owned by the accused, as he had falsely claimed. Records from the Garissa Lands Registry showed that the land was actually registered under a different individual. The official records, including the land’s green card, confirmed that the rightful owner had held the title since its original government allocation, dispelling any notion of Yusuf’s ownership. Additionally, the documents Yusuf had provided to support his fraudulent claim of ownership were found to be entirely fabricated.
Upon uncovering these facts, DCI detectives were able to trace Yusuf’s location to Eastleigh, Nairobi, where he was hiding. Following a swift operation, he was arrested and taken into custody at Kilimani Police Station. The authorities have since begun processing him for arraignment in court, where he will face charges related to fraud and deception.
The DCI’s investigation has highlighted the growing issue of land fraud in the country, particularly involving individuals who exploit the complex and often opaque land transactions to defraud unsuspecting buyers. In this case, the victim had no reason to suspect that the deal was fraudulent, as the documents provided by the suspect seemed legitimate at first glance. However, once the true ownership of the land was verified through official channels, the extent of the deception became clear.
This arrest serves as a reminder to the public to exercise caution when engaging in land transactions, especially in regions where land dealings may not be well-documented or transparent. The DCI has urged individuals to always verify land ownership details with the relevant authorities before making any payments. By consulting with land registries and legal experts, potential buyers can avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes like the one in this case.
Land transactions are often seen as a safe investment, but as this case demonstrates, fraudulent activities are unfortunately common in the sector. The DCI’s call for vigilance is crucial in ensuring that individuals do not become victims of similar scams. It is important for buyers to take proactive steps to protect themselves, such as conducting thorough background checks on sellers, verifying property documents, and seeking legal advice before finalizing any transactions.
As the investigation continues, authorities are hopeful that this arrest will serve as a deterrent to others who may attempt similar fraudulent schemes. It is hoped that through increased public awareness and more rigorous law enforcement, incidents of land fraud can be reduced, providing greater security and confidence to individuals engaging in property transactions.
