Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a United States national in connection with a gold scam worth USD 1.3 million (approximately Ksh173 million) in Kenya.
In a statement on Monday, December 16, the DCI revealed that the suspect, Antonucci Sergio Patrick, was apprehended upon his arrival from Dubai. He was later arraigned at Milimani Law Courts and charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money by false pretenses.
“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,” read the DCI statement.
According to investigations, Sergio first met the victim in July 2023 in Nevada, Las Vegas, USA. He allegedly presented himself as a former banker, investor, and consultant skilled in navigating complex international markets.
Impressed by Sergio’s credentials, the victim, a fellow American, contracted him to secure gold transactions in Africa, paying a USD 50,000 signing bonus on August 29, 2023. Subsequent payments of USD 15,000 each were made in January and February 2024.
Upon arriving in Nairobi, the victim was introduced to another alleged American accomplice, whom Sergio claimed was an active-duty U.S. soldier. During a meeting at a hotel in Hurlingham, Nairobi, the victim also met the purported gold owner and a licensed exporter.
The victim, through his company Aurumsic One LLC, entered into a Sales and Purchase Agreement with the seller company, AERO Logistics, for 2,820 kilograms of gold. Payments totaling USD 1,271,200 were made between March 31 and May 30, 2024.
When the promised gold consignment failed to materialize, the victim reported the case to authorities, leading to Sergio’s arrest.
The suspect pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted a bond of Ksh10 million with one Kenyan surety. The case will be mentioned on January 23, 2025.
The DCI emphasized its ongoing efforts to crack down on fraudsters involved in gold scams, which have been on the rise in the country.
