Lamarca J. Benjamin, the CEO of AFREX Bridge Connections Ltd, has been arrested in connection with a sophisticated gold scam that defrauded two businessmen, a Romanian and a Swiss national, out of Sh15.5 million (USD 120,000). The arrest followed an investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which revealed a complex scheme involving fake gold transactions.
According to the DCI, Benjamin, alongside four other suspects, tricked the victims into believing they were purchasing 550 kilograms of gold stored at a warehouse at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The victims were led to believe the gold was awaiting clearance and transport upon payment of USD 120,000. However, after paying the full amount, they were left in an endless cycle of false promises and delays.
The investigation began on January 29, 2025, when Wilson Airport Police Station received a complaint from the victims. DCI officers conducted raids that led to the arrest of the first two suspects, Lucy Gitonga and Rose Kambua. Samson Kibet Sirkoi, 34, was arrested on January 31, 2025.
On February 2, 2025, the DCI team arrested Lamarca, also known as Morlon, and 25-year-old Justine Adhiambo in Nanyuki’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Estate. During the raid, authorities confiscated two Glock pistols, 96 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a pair of handcuffs, a laptop, a MacBook, and six expired mineral licenses. They also seized a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 and other documents related to the scam.
Further investigations took the authorities to Lamarca’s residence in Riverside Pearl, Kileleshwa, Nairobi, where they uncovered more evidence, including three 9mm tracer bullets, 14 smoke grenades, a bulletproof vest, and several official seals and stamps. The Firearms Licensing Board confirmed that Lamarca was not a licensed firearm holder.
The arrests have highlighted the sophistication of the scam, with suspects in possession of items typically associated with organized criminal activity. Investigations are ongoing to uncover more details and identify any other individuals involved.
