Video: How a US National Was Scammed KSh 37m at Kilimani's Safe House

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A U.S. National Falls Victim to a Gold Fraud Scheme in Nairobi

A U.S. citizen who visited Kenya last year in search of gold has suffered significant financial losses after being scammed out of KSh 37 million by two Kenyan individuals operating a fake gold business in Nairobi’s Kilimani estate. The incident highlights the growing concerns over fraudulent transactions that have affected numerous foreign nationals in the region.

David White Odell became the latest victim of such schemes, which have left many foreigners shocked and financially devastated. According to Odell, he met Collins Onyango and Paul Chogo in December 2025 with the intention of purchasing gold from their company, Sky Eagle Ultravault Limited, based at Hurlingham, Rose Wood Avenue, Kilimani.

Odell described how Onyango presented himself as a shipping agent, while Chogo acted as the dealer with an office in Kilimani. After several meetings, Odell was convinced that the two were genuine gold dealers and agreed to contract them for the supply of the precious metal.

The deal was formalized on December 12, following Odell's personal visit to their office and the vault room where the gold was supposedly stored. He made a down payment of KSh 37 million and was given a key and a code to one of the shelves where he was supposed to collect his gold the next day.

“There was additional gold to be given, and so we came back the following day, and Collins gave us four kgs of ‘gold’ in a separate box,” Odell recalled during an interview with Citizen TV.

However, Odell began to suspect something was wrong when the two Kenyan agents proposed a change in the shipment plan, requiring him to hire a private jet and pay for it. This request raised red flags for Odell, who found the proposal unusual since he had already paid for the shipment. The agents reportedly provided a massive invoice, further deepening his doubts.

At this point, Odell decided to seek help from the police. On Wednesday, January 28, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) stormed the vault room in Hurlingham accompanied by Odell to investigate the authenticity of the businesses operated by Onyango and Chogo.

During the raid, the police recovered a box and several bars of suspected gold hidden in one of the closets. Samples of the gold Odell had purchased were sent to the Ministry of Mining for analysis. The results revealed that the items were not gold but rather yellow metallic bars made of brass.

Following the discovery, the police launched a manhunt for the two suspects, who are now on the run. This case is part of a broader pattern of fraud involving fake gold deals, which have targeted numerous foreign investors in Kenya.

Similar Cases of Fraud in Kenya

In August 2025, another case of gold fraud emerged when a Kenyan national was arrested for defrauding a Canadian investor of over KSh 80 million in a fake gold export deal. The suspect, known as Kelvin “Kevo Sonko” Onyango, was apprehended after the foreigner sought assistance from the police to recover the stolen funds.

Detectives were drawn to the suspect’s Instagram page, which featured images and memories of a lavish lifestyle. These posts caught the attention of law enforcement, leading to his arrest.

These incidents underscore the need for increased vigilance and stronger regulatory measures to prevent such fraudulent activities. Foreign investors must remain cautious and conduct thorough due diligence before engaging in any business dealings in unfamiliar markets.