Woman arrested in Nairobi over USDT 431,380 gold scam

Kenyan detectives arrested Mildred Kache at Crystal Villas in Kilimani, Nairobi. Authorities accuse her of orchestrating a fake gold sale that drained USDT 431,380 from an American investor.

Investigators say the suspects promised to supply 400 kilograms of gold bars. The investor flew to Nairobi to sign an agreement and wired the USDT into bank accounts controlled by the group. After the funds arrived, the alleged dealers stopped answering calls and no gold was delivered, the DCI reported.

Forensic leads led detectives to the Kilimani apartment where Kache, who also uses the name Sabreena Ayesha, was arrested. Her alleged accomplice, Ibrahim Yusuf Mohamed, fled before officers reached the property and abandoned a black Mercedes-Benz E50 that investigators seized as an exhibit. Kache is held at the DCI Nairobi Regional Headquarters pending arraignment.

The claim that 400 kilograms were available was inconsistent with the amount paid. Market prices for that quantity of gold would be far higher than USDT 431,380, a discrepancy investigators noted after the deal collapsed. The victim reported the loss and detectives are tracing the transferred funds while seeking Mohamed.

Investigators highlighted the use of Tether (USDT) in the case, noting stablecoin transfers settle quickly and are difficult to reverse. Officials are exploring whether any of the 431,380 USDT can be frozen on-chain, which would affect potential recovery.

Kenyan authorities are completing the country’s first dedicated crypto law, which would expand reporting requirements for suspicious digital-asset flows. Kilimani has been linked to similar schemes that use staged meetings and fake contracts to target foreign nationals.

The DCI posted on Twitter: “SUSPECT IN USDT 431, 380 GOLD SCAM NABBED IN KILIMANI.” Kache’s next legal milestone is her first court appearance.