Francis Talla Oufa, alias Allain, a Cameroonian national suspected to be the mastermind behind a high-level fake gold syndicate. Photo DCI 
By Andrew Mbuva
Detectives from the Operation Support Unit (OSU) have arrested a Cameroonian national suspected to be the mastermind behind a high-level fake gold syndicate that defrauded a Canadian investor of USD 618,000 (approximately KSh 95 million).
The suspect, identified as Francis Talla Oufa, alias Allain, was apprehended following intensive investigations and forensic leads that placed him at the center of the fraudulent operation.
According to a statement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Canadian victim was first lured into the scam in November 2024 while still in Canada, after being offered an enticing business deal involving the purchase of 250 kilograms of gold with the promise of lucrative returns.
In April 2025, the investor traveled to Kenya to finalize the transaction. Upon arrival, he was received and escorted to high-end offices by a purported business associate—a meticulously staged front aimed at portraying the illusion of a flourishing and legitimate gold trading firm.
The investor was then introduced to a web of con artists, all playing carefully rehearsed roles in the fraudulent scheme. Convinced of their legitimacy, he parted with USD 618,000—only to realize, after the fact, that he had fallen victim to a sophisticated scam.
Detectives launched a probe into the matter, leading to the arrest of Oufa in Belfair Park, Dagoretti. During a search of his vehicle and residence, several items believed to be linked to the fraud were recovered.
These included: Documents and seals used in fake gold transactions, A staff card from Sunshine Minerals Ltd bearing the suspect’s name and the title “Engineer Mining”, Two laptops, Three mobile phones and other additional materials associated with the gold scam
The suspect is currently in custody as detectives intensify efforts to track down other members of the syndicate.
