A high-profile gold scammer who has been on police radar for months has finally been arrested in connection with a meticulously planned fraud that saw an American investor lose a staggering USD 225,968.64 (approximately KSh 29.5 million).
Detectives from the Operations Support Unit (OSU) on Friday confirmed the capture of David Onyango Ochanda, a man alleged to be at the center of a sophisticated international gold scam. His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle fraud syndicates that have been tarnishing Kenya’s reputation in global gold trade circles.
The Elaborate Scam
According to investigators, the scheme traces back to April 3, 2024, when the unsuspecting US investor arrived in Nairobi to seal a lucrative deal for the purchase of 3,370 kilograms of gold. Upon landing, he was taken to an office located at Gate 53, Chalbi Drive in Lavington, where he signed a Sales and Purchase Agreement.
To make the deal appear legitimate, the investor was even shown a smelting process at what was presented as the seller’s agent’s office. This staged demonstration was carefully orchestrated to erase any doubts and win the investor’s trust.
Later, on April 25, 2024, the investor was introduced to Toureg Insurance Brokers Limited, a company supposedly responsible for insuring the gold during its transit. The contact person at the firm was none other than David Onyango Ochanda, who has now been identified as the mastermind of the con.
An addendum to the original agreement was signed to include insurance charges, and an invoice was promptly issued for USD 226,012.76. Just four days later, the investor wired USD 225,968.64 to the company’s bank account — an account for which Ochanda was a signatory.
The Gold That Never Arrived
Despite the hefty payment, the promised gold shipment never materialized. The investor’s attempts to follow up met with excuses and delays until it became clear that the deal was a scam. By then, the syndicate members had already gone underground.
OSU detectives, working with other specialized units, launched extensive investigations that eventually led to a coordinated arrest operation. Ochanda was apprehended on Friday, marking the end of months of tracking.
Police Statement and Next Steps
Authorities have confirmed that Ochanda, the director of Toureg Insurance Brokers Limited, is currently in custody and undergoing processing. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday, August 18, 2025, where he is expected to face charges related to fraud, obtaining money by false pretenses, and conspiracy to defraud.
A senior detective at OSU, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described Ochanda as “a cunning operator with deep knowledge of how to stage elaborate scams that prey on foreign investors.”
A Wider Problem for Kenya’s Gold Industry
This case underscores the growing concern over gold-related fraud in Kenya, where well-organized criminal networks have been targeting wealthy investors from across the globe. Many of these scams involve fake documents, staged gold processing demonstrations, and shell companies that vanish as soon as funds are transferred.
Law enforcement agencies are now intensifying crackdowns on such syndicates, warning that perpetrators will be pursued both locally and internationally.
Final Word
As Ochanda awaits his day in court, the case serves as a cautionary tale for investors to exercise extreme due diligence before engaging in high-value commodity deals. The OSU has urged any other victims of similar scams to come forward and assist with investigations.
With the suspect now in custody, authorities hope this arrest will send a strong message to fraudsters exploiting Kenya’s gold trade for criminal gain.
