A Nairobi court has ordered the detention of businessman Salim Frejus Hector Joyau Ahossi for ten days to allow detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to complete investigations into a KSh 712 million gold scam involving a Canadian investor.
According to court documents, Ahossi, who holds dual citizenship in Benin and Canada, is accused of defrauding Canadian national Maxime Harouna Sawadogo of approximately USD 5.47 million (KSh 712 million) through a well-orchestrated international gold fraud network operating between Ghana, Dubai, and Kenya.
How the Alleged Gold Scam Was Orchestrated
Investigations reveal that the suspect and the complainant first met in 2022 at a church in Canada, where Ahossi allegedly presented himself as a successful businessman dealing in African gold exports to European buyers, particularly in Belgium.
Over the next two years, Sawadogo reportedly transferred large sums of money to multiple accounts connected to Ahossi. Each time, the completion of the transaction was delayed, with the suspect blaming policy changes in Ghana, customs clearance issues in Dubai, and later, the relocation of the gold to Kenya.
These delays eventually raised suspicions, prompting Sawadogo to reach out to the DCI Serious Crimes Unit, which opened an investigation into the alleged multi-million-dollar gold scam.
DCI: Suspect a Flight Risk
In court, lead DCI investigator Charles Odhiambo told Senior Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi that the accused was a flight risk. He cited Ahossi’s lack of a fixed residence in Kenya and his strong international connections as reasons for concern.
“The suspect has dual nationality and significant financial means, making it likely that he may abscond if released,” Odhiambo told the court.
As a result, the magistrate granted the DCI’s application to detain the suspect for 10 days, enabling investigators to trace financial trails, recover documents, and liaise with Interpol and foreign law enforcement agencies.
The suspect is currently being held at Kilimani Police Station pending further investigations.
Kenya’s Growing Reputation in Gold-Related Scams
This case is part of a wider trend of gold fraud syndicates operating across East Africa. In recent years, several foreigners have lost millions of shillings in fake gold deals allegedly based in Nairobi’s high-end estates.
The DCI has repeatedly warned investors to verify gold trade licenses through the Ministry of Mining, the Central Bank of Kenya, and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) before engaging in any gold export business.
To learn more about recent gold scam arrests in Nairobi, you can read related coverage on Kenya’s ongoing crackdown on fake gold cartels and DCI operations against international fraud networks.
What Happens Next
The court ordered the DCI to report back after ten days with a progress update. During this period, detectives are expected to review bank records, digital communication logs, and potential accomplices within the alleged gold syndicate.
The outcome of the ongoing investigation could determine whether Ahossi faces charges of fraud, money laundering, or obtaining money by false pretences.
This case underscores the importance of due diligence in cross-border trade and highlights the sophisticated tactics fraudsters use to exploit the global gold market.