NAIROBI, Kenya – Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a Cameroonian national believed to be the mastermind of a high-level gold scam that defrauded a Canadian investor of over USD 618,000 (approximately Ksh79 million).
Francis Talla Oufa, alias Allain, was arrested by officers from the elite Operation Support Unit (OSU) following months of investigation into a sophisticated syndicate that posed as legitimate gold dealers.
According to police, the Canadian victim was lured into the fake deal in November 2024 while still in his home country, where he was promised massive returns from the purchase of 250 kilograms of gold.
Convinced by the offer, he traveled to Kenya in April 2025 to finalize what he believed to be a lucrative transaction.
Upon arrival, the investor was received at a posh office setup by individuals posing as professional associates of the alleged mining company.
One of them, investigators say, was Allain’s close business partner. The setting was carefully crafted to project the image of a legitimate gold trading enterprise.
What followed was a well-coordinated con operation. The victim was introduced to a network of fraudsters masquerading as reputable businessmen.
Their deception proved successful—he eventually handed over USD 618,000 in cash.
ARREST OF A SWINDLER IN USD 618, 000 GOLD SCAMOperation Support Unit (OSU) detectives have apprehended a Cameroonian national, Francis Talla Oufa, aka Allain, the mastermind behind a sophisticated fake gold scheme that swindled a Canadian investor of USD 618,000.In November
By the time the victim realised he had been duped, the alleged gold and the entire setup had vanished.
DCI launched a probe into the case and, relying on forensic intelligence, managed to track down and apprehend Allain.
A subsequent search of his vehicle and residence at Belfair Park in Dagoretti yielded key evidence, including documents related to gold transactions, an employee ID card for “Sunshine Minerals Ltd” listing Allain as “Engineer Mining,” as well as two laptops, three mobile phones, and other materials linked to the scheme.
Authorities say the arrest marks a major breakthrough in an ongoing crackdown on transnational gold scams that have tainted Kenya’s image in recent years.
The suspect is currently in custody as detectives pursue leads to dismantle the wider network and apprehend his accomplices.
Police are urging anyone who may have fallen victim to similar scams or has information related to the case to come forward.
