Nyakach MP Aspirant Opande Arrested Over Sh13 Million Fake Gold Deal

An alleged gold scammer has been arrested after escaping several police traps.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations in a statement on Saturday said the suspect, an aspirant for the Nyakach Parliamentary seat Jonathan Okoth Opande alias Okoth Magawi, was ejected from a Kisumu-bound KQ flight on Friday after detectives received word on his planned travel plans.

The politician turned scammer has been engaging detectives in cat and mouse games.

He is wanted for allegedly defrauding two Thai nationals of Sh13 million in a fake gold deal.

According to the DCI, the victims lodged a complaint at the Royal Thai Embassy in April this year.

DETECTIVES EJECT FLEEING GOLD SCAMMER FROM FLIGHT AT JKIA

After escaping several police dragnets in the past few months, one of Nairobi’s infamous gold scammers Hon Jonathan Okoth Opande alias Okoth Magawi has been arrested.

Opande also known as Chairman/Kiongozi was ejected… pic.twitter.com/fOpQuitohR

— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) October 6, 2023

This was after the suspect posed as the CEO of Blu Afrique LTD and allegedly obtained the money from them on the pretext that he would supply them gold whose quantity was not immediately established.

“The duo had been introduced to the suspect by his accomplice who was arrested on August 23 and has already had his day in court,” DCI said.

“A raid at the main suspect’s office led to the recovery of KRA export seals, a dust coat branded Ministry of Mining and digital weighing scales among other crucial exhibits.”

The suspect is currently being held at Buruburu police station pending arraignment on Monday.