Detectives in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County, have arrested a suspect accused of defrauding a resident of Ksh1.08 million through a fake land-leasing scheme.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The suspect is accused of falsely claiming ownership of a 30-acre piece of land where he offered it to unsuspecting clients for sugarcane farming.

According to preliminary investigations, the suspect allegedly worked with brothers to be able to convince a complainant that the land was available to lease, where they were persuaded to pay Ksh1.08 million to be able to secure the piece of land.

After receiving the money, the suspect and his alleged broker disappeared, leaving the complainant unable to access the land.

📌 What You Need to Know

The matter was then reported to the detectives, who launched investigations and a manhunt, where they used forensic leads to trace the suspect to a hideout in Gatua, where he was arrested.

The development comes as the Environment and Land Court recently outlined the evidence required when challenging a property transfer on grounds of fraud.

The court noted that simply making an allegation of fraud is not enough to prove a case, holding that the claim must be specifically pleaded and strictly proved.

The court also identified the original title deed and forensic evidence on the signature used in the transfer documents as key pieces of evidence in determining whether fraud had occurred.

Meanwhile, detectives are continuing investigations into how the alleged scheme was organised and whether other people were involved in the transaction.

At the moment, the suspect is in police custody as detectives process him ahead of arraignment, where he is expected to face charges of braining the money by false pretences.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke