by Faith Chandianya
Puati Dally, a key figure in a KSh 13 million gold scam, was arrested while attempting to sneak back into Kenya via the Busia border. According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the 35-year-old suspect, involved in an elaborate gold fraud, was intercepted by immigration officials after a stop order was issued in September 2023. The scam had targeted an unsuspecting victim in Uganda.
The victim, convinced that he was purchasing genuine gold, had initially paid KSh 10.7 million for documentation, certification, and taxes related to 10kg of gold. However, after the victim flew to Dubai and Uganda to finalize the deal, he was told by accomplices of Dally that the gold was being held by customs. This led to further demands for KSh 4.3 million in taxes and clearance fees for the non-existent gold.
The DCI had previously arrested other suspects linked to similar gold scams, including a massive KSh 2.85 billion scam masterminded by Kelvin Mwaura Ngotho in February 2023.
The arrest of Dally underscores the ongoing battle against fraudulent gold schemes in the region, with authorities working diligently to track and apprehend those involved in such criminal activities.