A Nairobi magistrate’s court has acquitted a city businessman who had been charged with defrauding a Canadian national of KSh 8.1 million in an alleged gold scam.

Abbas Bardu Omuyoma was accused of obtaining USD 54,550 (approximately KSh 8.1 million) from Yvan De Coninck on August 11, 2021, by falsely claiming he was in a position to sell 15 kilograms of gold.

The case was heard before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki, who had earlier placed Omuyoma on his defence.

However, in a ruling delivered after the close of the four-year trial, the magistrate acquitted the businessman, finding that the prosecution had failed to meet the required threshold to sustain the charges.

The court heard that the case arose from a proposed gold transaction that never materialised due to disagreements among the parties involved.

In his defence, Omuyoma told the court that his role was limited to facilitating discussions between the parties and that he did not personally receive any money linked to the deal. He said he issued an invoice in his capacity as an agent, with the expectation of earning a commission, but maintained that no payment was ever made to him.

Omuyoma testified that he was approached by a woman identified as Madam Pinky, who asked him to help source a supplier for the gold. He stated that any funds related to the failed transaction were deposited into an escrow account associated with entities known as Blue Creek and Jason, and not into his personal accounts.

He further told the court that he later withdrew from the negotiations and that after the parties fell out, he was summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to record a statement regarding the collapsed deal.

The magistrate ultimately ruled that the evidence presented by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions was insufficient to prove the charges against Omuyoma beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Nairobi Regional Office have arrested Abbas Bardu Omuyoma, alias Ishmael, in connection with a multi-million shilling gold scam that defrauded a Canadian investor of USD 280,000 (approx. Ksh42 million).

The suspect was apprehended along Dennis Pritt Road in Nairobi, following weeks of forensic investigations and surveillance.

His arrest comes after the victim lodged a formal complaint on September 1, 2025.

The Gold Scam

According to investigators, Ishmael and an accomplice who is still at large lured the investor with promises of supplying 550 kilograms of gold nuggets and bars allegedly sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Believing he was entering into a legitimate business deal, the Canadian investor transferred the equivalent of USD 280,000 via USDT (Tether cryptocurrency). However, the gold consignment never materialised, and efforts to recover the funds proved futile.

The Arrest

Detectives launched an intensive probe, leveraging forensic leads to track Ishmael’s movements. On Monday, they intercepted and arrested him, bringing to an end weeks of evasion.

Currently in custody, Ishmael is undergoing processing pending his arraignment in court.

Hunt for Accomplice

DCI officers confirmed that a manhunt is underway for Ishmael’s accomplice, who is believed to have played a central role in the elaborate con.

The DCI has also urged members of the public and foreign investors to exercise caution when engaging in gold transactions in Kenya, warning that fraudsters continue to exploit unsuspecting victims using fake documents and false promises of Congolese gold.

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