NAIROBI: Police have arrested Tim Orao Shikalo, a key suspect long on their radar for his alleged role in a sophisticated gold scam that swindled a foreign investor out of approximately KES 38 million (USD 265,200).

Detectives from the Operation Support Unit (OSU) apprehended Shikalo today, marking a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation.

Shikalo’s arrest follows the earlier apprehension of Steve Okoth Odek, also known as David Bett, on December 7, 2024. Odek has since been arraigned and charged in connection with the same fraudulent scheme.

The elaborate scam involved fake gold purchase contracts for over 1,080 kilograms of the precious metal.

The perpetrators allegedly lured their victim with false promises of secure delivery, guaranteed collateral, and smooth legal facilitation.

However, investigations have since revealed that the purported gold was nothing more than a mixture of copper, zinc, and tin, with no trace of any actual precious metals.

Meanwhile, authorities indicate they are closing in on two additional suspects believed to be part of this intricate gold scam network.