Dj Vnyash
A U.S. citizen has been charged at the Milimani Law Courts for involvement in a high-profile gold scam amounting to over KSh167 million. On Monday, December 16, the suspect was arraigned and charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money by false pretenses.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspect posed as an experienced former banker, investor, and legal consultant, claiming expertise in managing difficult and complex markets that U.S. businesses typically avoid.
Investigations revealed that in July 2023, the suspect met the complainant, another U.S. citizen, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and convinced him to pursue gold transactions in Africa. The victim was persuaded to believe the scammer was licensed, paying a signing bonus of USD 50,000 on August 29, 2023, followed by two additional payments of USD 15,000 on January 24, 2024, and February 28, 2024.
While in Nairobi, the suspect introduced the victim to another American, who falsely claimed to be an active-duty U.S. soldier in the 19th Special Forces Group and presented himself as a key regional contact. A Congolese accomplice was also involved, posing as a licensed gold seller and exporter at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Nairobi.
The victim signed a Sales and Purchase Agreement to buy 2,820 kilograms of gold and paid KSh163 million (USD 1,271,200) to facilitate the deal between March 31, 2024, and May 30, 2024. However, the gold was never delivered, prompting the victim to report the scam to authorities.
This incident follows a recent arrest of a Kenyan gold scammer, who had been released on bond after attempting to defraud a foreign national. The suspect, identified as Brian, was arrested again on accusations of masterminding land scams in Nairobi, where he and his accomplices sold fake land documents, claiming ties to the Nairobi County Lands Registry.
Silverio Omari
