DCI Nab US National In Ksh174 Million Gold Scam

A citizen of the United States (US) was arraigned in court by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) deployed to pursue fraudsters in mega gold scams reported across the country.

The US national, Antonucci Sergio Patrick was arraigned at Milimani Law Courts, having been implicated in a scam involving thousands of kilograms of gold that cost the victim over Ksh174.4 million (USD 1.35 million).

Antonucci was on Monday, December 16 charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money by false pretences, following his arrest on Sunday, December 15 after jetting into the country from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"Establishments made after thorough investigations reveal that Sergio met the complainant sometime in July 2023 in Nevada, Las Vegas, USA introducing himself as a former banker, investor and legal consultant who specialised in conducting business in markets that are considered hostile and complex by the United States standards," revealed the DCI in part.

"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."

Following this, Antonucci paid him a Ksh6.5 million (USD50,000) signing bonus on August 29, 2023, followed by a Ksh1.9 million (15,000 US Dollars) payment on January 24, 2024 and a further Ksh1.9 million (15,000 US Dollars) on February 28, 2024.

"In the broad scheme that has also seen a Congolese accomplice (Eric Kalala Mukendi) charged, the victim was made to fly to Nairobi where Sergio introduced him to another American accomplice, Caden Gebhard, whom he presented as an active duty US Soldier with the 19th Special Forces Group. Allegedly, Caden was critical in the business since he had contacts in the region," added DCI.

The investigative agency revealed that it was after 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," added DCI.

In the end, no consignment was delivered prompting the matter to be reported to the police.

On Monday, Antonucci was arraigned for plea taking, but pleaded not guilty and was granted a bond of Ksh10 million plus one Kenyan surety.

The case will be mentioned on January 23, 2025, for pretrial. Meanwhile, DCI revealed that more accomplices in the scam are being pursued.

On Friday December 13, four suspected gold scammers arrested on Wednesday, December 11 were arraigned at Milimani Law Courts and charged with several counts of Conspiracy to defraud and forgery. They were implicated in a USD 100,000 scam (Ksh12.9 million).

In the case investigated by the DCI Operation Support Unit, the four namely Susan Wanjeri Kogi, Elvis Muga Ouma, Nazlin Karim Rahimbux and Hubbard Kanyago Ndong'o were accused of conspiring to defraud a Niger businessman of the said amount while purporting to be Customs officials based in the Capital.