Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a United States of America national in connection with a USD 1.3 million (approximately Ksh173 million) gold scandal in Kenya.
In a statement on Monday, December 16, DCI disclosed the suspect, Antonucci Sergio Patrick, was arrested after jetting into the country from Dubai.
The suspect was arraigned at Milimani Law Courts and charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money by false pretence.
"Detectives deployed to pursue fraudsters in mega gold scams reported across the country have today arraigned a U.S. citizen implicated in a scam involving thousands of kilograms of gold that cost the victim over USD 1.35 million.
"Antonucci Sergio Patrick was arraigned at Milimani Law Courts charged with Conspiracy to commit a felony and Obtaining money by false pretences, following his arrest yesterday after jetting into the country from Dubai," DCI remarked.
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In the scam, the directorate noted that according to investigations, Sergio met the victim in July 2023 in Nevada, Las Vegas, USA, where the suspect introduced himself as a former banker, investor and consultant specialised in conducting business in markets that are considered hostile and complex by the United States standards.
DCI explained that after the victim was impressed with the suspect's profile, he contracted him to protect his gold transactions in Africa.
"Awed by the profile, the complainant who happens to be a fellow compatriot contracted him (Sergio) to protect his gold transactions in Africa assuming that he was licensed and for this paid him USD 50,000 signing bonus on the 29th August, 2023, followed by a 15,000 US dollars payment on the 24th of January, 2024 and a further 15,000 US dollars on February 28, 2024," DCI stated.
The directorate further disclosed that the victim was made to fly to Nairobi where the suspect introduced him to another American accomplice whom the suspect presented as an active duty U.S. soldier.
"It was following the meeting that the complainant was also introduced to the alleged owner of the gold and the licensed exporter at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Hurligham, Nairobi.
"Oblivious of his compatriots' plot to fleece him, the complainant through his company Aurumsic One LLC entered into a Sales and Purchase Agreement with the seller company - AERO Logistics - for the sale of 2820Kg of gold in which he ended up paying an amount of USD 1,271,200 in the said transaction that was executed on diverse dates between 31st March 2024 and 30th May 2024," DCI explained.
The directorate noted that no consignment was delivered at the end prompting the matter to be reported to the police.
The suspect pleaded not guilty and was granted a bond of Sh10 million plus one Kenyan surety.
The matter will be mentioned on January 23, 2025.
