Operation Support Unit (OSU) detectives on Tuesday arraigned a man accused of conning a victim out of Sh300,000 in a bogus firearm certificate deal. The suspect, Aarif Ibrahim Gani, is alleged to have worked with an accomplice to deceive the complainant into believing they could secure a firearm certificate for his son.
According to the statement by the DCI, the scam unfolded over several months. “On diverse dates between December 1, 2024, and March 7, 2025, the duo exploited the victim’s trust, creating a false narrative that they could facilitate the required documentation,” the statement noted.
The victim reportedly handed over Sh300,000 during the period, hoping the promised certificate would be processed.
As weeks turned into months, the certificate never materialised. Detectives say the suspect repeatedly stalled, offering excuses while assuring the victim that the process was underway.
When pressed, Gani allegedly produced a forged letter purportedly from the Firearms Licensing Board. The letter claimed that “technical upgrades were causing the holdup,” a move investigators describe as an attempt to buy time and continue the deception.
Authorities called it a classic confidence trick designed to keep the complainant hopeful while the suspects disappeared with the money.
Gani was presented before the Milimani Law Courts, where he faced charges of conspiracy to defraud. He denied the accusations and was released on Sh100,000 bail, with the requirement to present one contact person as surety.
The matter is expected to come up for mention on December 15, 2025, as detectives continue their hunt for the second suspect believed to have worked alongside Gani in orchestrating the elaborate ruse.
Operation Support Unit has urged members of the public to remain cautious and verify all firearm licensing procedures strictly through official channels, noting that fraudsters continue to target unsuspecting families seeking legitimate documentation.
