NAIROBI, Kenya — A Cameroonian national, Francis Talla Oufa, also known as Allain, has been arrested in Nairobi for allegedly masterminding a fake gold scam that defrauded a Canadian investor of Ksh79.8 million (USD 618,000).
Detectives from Kenya’s Operation Support Unit (OSU) apprehended Oufa following an extensive investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
According to the DCI, the scheme began in November 2024, when the victim was first approached with an offer to buy 250 kilograms of gold. Believing it to be a legitimate investment opportunity, the investor travelled to Kenya in April 2025 to finalize the transaction.
He was received in what appeared to be a high-end business setup—offices staged to imitate a legitimate gold export company. There, he met multiple individuals posing as professionals and business partners.
Convinced by the presentation, the investor handed over USD 618,000 in what he believed was a genuine transaction. It was only after the payment was made that he discovered the operation was fraudulent.
During a search of Oufa’s vehicle and residence in Belfair Park, Dagoretti, detectives recovered:
Documents and seals used in fake gold transactions
Two laptops
Three mobile phones
A Sunshine Minerals Ltd staff ID bearing Oufa’s name and the title “Engineer Mining”
Oufa is currently in custody as investigators pursue leads to arrest other suspects involved in the fraud.
