By Grace Gilo
A team of detectives from the Operation Support Unit (OSU) has arrested Tim Orao Shikalo, a key suspect who has been on the police radar for his involvement in a sophisticated gold scam that defrauded a foreign investor of USD 265,200, which is approximately Ksh. 38 million.
“His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation, following the earlier apprehension of Steve Okoth Odek (alias David Bett) on 7th December 2024, who was arraigned and charged in connection with the same fraudulent scheme,” stated the DCI.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the scam involved fake gold purchase contracts totalling over 1,080 kilograms, with false promises of secure delivery, guaranteed collateral, and fraudulent legal facilitation.
Investigations have revealed that the purported gold was merely a mixture of copper, zinc, and tin, with no trace of any precious metals.
Shikalo is currently in police custody and is undergoing processing ahead of his arraignment.
“Detectives are closing in on two additional suspects believed to be part of this elaborate criminal syndicate,” DCI revealed.