By ATN Reporter
NAIROBI— A Nairobi court has allowed police to detain two foreign nationals and a Kenyan woman for 14 days as investigators probe an alleged Sh14.9 million cryptocurrency fraud linked to a confrontation at a city hotel.
Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego granted the application after detectives told the court they needed more time to complete investigations into Congolese national Godua Imendji Jesus Pierrot, Chinese national Liao Jinxiang and Kenyan Judith Mbatha Nzioka.
Police said they are investigating claims that the three allegedly defrauded a Rwandan national of USD 116,600, equivalent to about Sh14.9 million, through a cryptocurrency trading scheme.
The investigations stem from two separate complaints lodged at Central Police Station. One came from Serena Hotel manager Elizabeth Njeri, while the other was filed by the alleged victim, Rwandan national Tuyishime Grace.
According to Njeri, hotel security alerted her on April 30, 2025, after a disturbance broke out in Room 221, which Grace had booked. A housekeeper reportedly found Liao Jinxiang shouting that money had been stolen, prompting security officers to call the police.
When officers arrived, they began questioning the parties and allegedly uncovered an elaborate online cryptocurrency trading scheme that investigators believe led to the loss of the complainant’s money.
Police further told the court that before taking the suspects into custody, the hotel demanded that the two foreign nationals settle outstanding accommodation bills.
Investigators said Imendji had accumulated a hotel bill of Sh118,842 between February 26 and April 30, 2025, while Jinxiang owed Sh82,886 for his stay between April 27 and April 30. The two allegedly declined to clear the bills, prompting the hotel to file a separate complaint.
Court documents state that Grace told investigators she travelled to Kenya after Jinxiang allegedly persuaded her to invest in a cryptocurrency business. She arrived on April 29, 2025, met the suspects and received an introduction to the trading venture.
Police said the Congolese suspect later encouraged her to participate in a trade worth USD 120,000. Since she lacked the funds, Grace allegedly borrowed money from friends and relatives in Uganda to finance the investment.
Investigators said the trade took place on April 30, with Grace contributing USD 116,600 while the Congolese suspect allegedly added USD 4,000.
However, police said the investment collapsed immediately after the transaction, leaving the complainant with the entire loss. The incident triggered the confrontation at the hotel, after which Grace reported the matter to the police.
Detectives told the court they require additional time to verify financial transactions, trace the movement of the funds and conclude investigations before deciding whether to charge the suspects.
