By Grace Gilo
Detectives deployed to investigate extensive gold scams reported across the country have arraigned a US 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,” revealed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
According to the DCI, investigations revealed that Sergio met the complainant in July 2023 in Nevada, Las Vegas, USA, where he introduced himself as a former banker, investor and legal consultant specializing in conducting business in markets that are considered hostile and complex by the United States standards.
Impressed by his credentials, the complainant, also a US citizen, contracted him Sergio to oversee his gold transactions in Africa assuming that he was licensed. Consequently, he paid him USD 50,000 as a signing bonus on 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.
The elaborate scheme also implicated a Congolese accomplice, Eric Kalala Mukendi, who has also been charged.
The victim was flown 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, asserting that Caden’s connecions were critical in the business.
During the meeting, 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.
Unaware of the conspiracy orchestrated by his compatriots, 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 this transaction which took place on various dates between 31st March 2024 and 30th May 2024, the complainant ultimately ended up paying USD 1,271,200.
However, no consignment was delivered prompting the matter to be reported to the police.
“Today, Antonucci Sergio Patrick was arraigned for plea taking. He pleaded not guilty and was granted a bond of Sh 10 million plus one Kenyan surety,” added the DCI.
The case will be mentioned on 23rd January, 2025 for pretrial. Meanwhile, more accomplices in the scam are being pursued.