Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a U.S. national, Antonucci Sergio Patrick, in Nairobi for his involvement in a Ksh173.9 million gold scam.

In a statement released on December 16, 2024, the DCI explained that Sergio was arrested after being linked to a scam involving thousands of kilograms of gold. The victim lost over USD 1.35 million (Ksh173.9 million).

According to the DCI, Sergio was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts. He was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money through false pretenses.

The big arrest happened on Sunday, December 15, 2024, after Sergio arrived in Nairobi, Kenya from Dubai.

Investigations revealed that Sergio first met the victim in July 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. He introduced himself as a former banker, investor, and legal consultant.

He further claimed to specialize in business within hostile and complex markets just what the victim was looking for.

Impressed by Sergio’s profile, the victim, who is also an American, hired him to oversee gold transactions in Africa.

Assuming Sergio was licensed, the victim paid him a USD 50,000 signing bonus on August 29, 2023. He later made two additional payments of USD 15,000 each—on January 24, 2024, and February 28, 2024.

Accomplices

In this elaborate scheme, Sergio involved a Congolese accomplice, Eric Kalala Mukendi, who has also been charged.

The victim was then flown to Nairobi, where Sergio introduced him to another accomplice, Caden Gebhard.

Sergio claimed that Caden was an active-duty U.S. soldier with the 19th Special Forces Group. He said Caden’s regional contacts were crucial to the deal.

Later, the complainant met the alleged gold owner and licensed exporter at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Hurlingham, Nairobi.

Trusting his countrymen, the victim, through his company Aurumsic One LLC, signed a Sales and Purchase Agreement with the seller, AERO Logistics. This agreement involved the sale of 2,820 kilograms of gold.

The victim then, paid a total of USD 1,271,200 for the gold between March 31, 2024, and May 30, 2024. However, no gold was ever delivered. Realizing he had been scammed, the victim reported the matter to the police.

On Monday, Antonucci Sergio Patrick appeared in court and pleaded not guilty. The court granted him a bond of Ksh10 million with one Kenyan surety. The case will be mentioned on January 23, 2025, for pretrial.

Meanwhile, the DCI is actively pursuing other suspects connected to the gold scam.

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