A U.S. citizen has been arraigned in Milimani Law Courts in connection with a major gold scam worth over USD 1.35 million.
Antonucci Sergio Patrick, who was arrested after arriving in Kenya from Dubai, faces charges of conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money by false pretenses.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Sergio posed as an experienced former banker, investor, and legal consultant specializing in navigating complex markets often avoided by U.S. businesses.
He allegedly orchestrated the scam by convincing the victim, another U.S. national, of his credentials.
The fraud began in July 2023 when Sergio met the complainant in Las Vegas.
Impressed by his background, the victim contracted him to handle gold transactions in Africa.
The victim paid a signing bonus of USD 50,000 on August 29, 2023, followed by two additional payments of USD 15,000 each on January 24, 2024, and February 28, 2024.
During a trip to Nairobi, Sergio introduced the victim to Caden Gebhard, who claimed to be an active-duty U.S. soldier with significant regional influence.
Gebhard, along with Congolese accomplice Eric Kalala Mukendi, introduced the victim to a supposed gold seller and licensed exporter at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Nairobi.
The victim then signed a Sales and Purchase Agreement through his company, AURUMSIC ONE LLC, for the purchase of 2,820 kilograms of gold from AERO Logistics.
Between March 31, 2024, and May 30, 2024, the victim paid a total of USD 1,271,200 to facilitate the deal.
However, the gold was never delivered, prompting the victim to report the scam to the authorities.
Sergio appeared in court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
He was granted bail set at sh 10 million, with a requirement for one Kenyan surety.
The case is set for a mention on January 23, 2025, for pretrial proceedings.
Authorities have confirmed that other individuals involved in the scam are being sought as investigations continue.
The DCI has also advised the public, especially those engaging in high-value transactions, to conduct thorough due diligence to avoid falling victim to similar fraud schemes.
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