Detectives from the Operation Support Unit (OSU) of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have arrested a second suspect in connection with a gold scam that defrauded an American national of USD 217,900 (approximately Sh28 million).
The suspect, Mohammed Noor Muhyadhin Mohammed, is accused of laundering proceeds from the fraudulent 495-kilogram gold deal that authorities say promised high returns but yielded nothing.
In a statement, the DCI said Mohammed, the sole proprietor of Mohazcom Trading, a registered Kenyan business dealing in mobile phones sourced primarily from Tecno Mobile Limited in Hong Kong, was taken into custody as investigations into the elaborate scheme intensified.
“Mohammed, the sole proprietor of Mohazcom Trading… now finds himself on the wrong side of the law as investigators tighten the noose on a well-orchestrated scheme,” the agency said.
His arrest follows the earlier apprehension of Willis Onyango Wasonga, alias Marcus, who was arraigned before the Milimani Law Courts on February 16, 2026.
Wasonga faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences and several counts related to acquisition, possession and use of proceeds of crime under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).
According to investigators, on February 3, 2026, Mohammed allegedly received a swift transfer of USD 217,900 through his company’s account at the National Bank of Kenya.
SECOND MONEY LAUNDERING SUSPECT ARRESTED IN NAIROBI
Sleuths from the Operation Support Unit (OSU) have arrested a second suspect, Mohammed Noor Muhyadhin Mohammed, for money laundering involving proceeds from a gold scam that fleeced an American national of USD 217,900 in a deal… pic.twitter.com/ocdqvvMCVW
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) February 18, 2026
The funds had been debited from accounts held by MOAC Advocates at the same bank and were purportedly payment for 495 kilograms of gold that was never delivered to the victim.
“Investigations revealed that on February 3, 2026, Mohammed received a swift transfer of USD 217,900 through his company’s account at the National Bank of Kenya,” the DCI said.
Detectives allege that shortly after the funds hit his account, Mohammed wired the entire amount overseas to accounts held by Tecno Mobile Limited at Citibank in Hong Kong.
The transfer was reportedly described as payment to facilitate a new shipment of mobile phones that has yet to arrive in Kenya.
“Barely had the dollars hit his account than Mohammed wired the entire amount overseas… allegedly to facilitate a new shipment of mobile phones that is yet to set foot in Kenya,” the statement added.
Further investigations have established that Mohammed has maintained a business relationship spanning more than a decade with a forex bureau located along Standard Street in Nairobi.
Authorities believe the bureau played a key role in facilitating substantial cross-border transfers, including the transaction under investigation.
In what detectives describe as an attempt to legitimize the suspicious transfer, MOAC Advocates allegedly presented a debt settlement agreement said to have been signed by Mohammed and another suspect who remains at large.
However, investigators contend that the document was “merely a smokescreen” intended to conceal the fraudulent enterprise.
Mohammed remains in custody pending arraignment as detectives pursue three additional suspects believed to be linked to the scheme.
The DCI reiterated its commitment to cracking down on gold scams and money laundering networks targeting foreign investors.
“This case underscores the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ commitment in the fight against gold scams and money laundering, through relentless pursuit of fraudsters who seek to exploit investors and tarnish the country’s reputation,” the agency said.
Authorities have urged members of the public to report suspicious activities through the DCI’s anonymous reporting channels as investigations continue.
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