US Citizen Arraigned Over $1.35 Million Gold Scam in Nairobi

Detectives investigating widespread gold scams across Kenya have arraigned a US citizen, Antonucci Sergio Patrick, at Milimani Law Courts for allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent transaction worth over USD 1.35 million.

Sergio was arrested upon his arrival in the country from Dubai. He has been charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money by false pretenses.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Sergio presented himself as a former banker, investor, and legal consultant specializing in navigating complex markets often avoided by US businesses. This led the victim, a fellow US national, to engage Sergio in a gold transaction deal in Africa.

The complainant, impressed by Sergio’s credentials, hired him in July 2023 during a meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. The victim initially paid a signing bonus of USD 50,000 in August 2023, followed by additional payments totaling USD 30,000 in January and February 2024.

While in Nairobi, Sergio introduced the victim to Caden Gebhard, another American who posed as a US Special Forces officer, and Congolese national Eric Kalala Mukendi, purportedly a licensed gold exporter. The victim, through his company AURUMSIC ONE LLC, signed a sales agreement for 2,820kg of gold.

Between March and May 2024, the victim paid USD 1,271,200 but never received the gold. The scam was reported to authorities, leading to Sergio’s arrest.

Sergio pleaded not guilty and was granted a bond of Ksh 10 million, with one Kenyan surety. The case will be mentioned on January 23, 2025, for pretrial.

The DCI has urged the public to exercise caution in high-value transactions as investigations into additional suspects continue.