A Machakos man has allegedly lost Sh2.4 million in a land scam after a fraudster posing as the legitimate owner sold him a prime parcel along the Nairobi–Mombasa highway using forged identity documents and a fake title deed.
Detectives in Kalama Sub-County arrested suspect David Maitha at Mtito Andei after investigations established that he had allegedly stolen the identity of Joel Musembi Kiilu and used his details to convince the buyer that the transaction was genuine.
According to a statement on Sunday by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspect Maitha spent months parading himself under the stolen identity and presenting himself as the bona fide owner of the lucrative property.
To strengthen the deception, he allegedly produced a forged title deed and a fake National Identity Card, both bearing the name Joel Musembi Kiilu.
The buyer then conducted an official search at the Machakos Land Registry. The search confirmed that the property belonged to a person named Joel Musembi Kiilu, giving him confidence to proceed with the transaction.
He subsequently entered into a sale agreement before a Machakos lawyer and paid Sh2.4 million.
But after receiving the money, the alleged fraudster disappeared, according to investigators. He reportedly stopped answering calls, avoided scheduled meetings and vanished when the post-sale procedures were due to begin.
The buyer later reported the matter to police, prompting detectives in Kalama Sub-County to launch investigations.
The inquiry allegedly uncovered Maitha's true identity and established that he had been using identity theft to facilitate the fraud.
The DCI said a covert, intelligence-led operation eventually led to Maitha's arrest at Mtito Andei.
He is currently in police custody undergoing processing ahead of arraignment as investigations continue.
The DCI has cautioned members of the public to exercise “utmost due diligence” when undertaking land transactions.
The agency said buyers should not only verify the authenticity of ownership documents at land registries but should also establish the true identity of the individuals presenting those documents.