A Kenyan man has been arraigned in court over an alleged fake gold scheme that saw an American investor lose USD 217,900, approximately Sh28 million, in a deal involving 495 kilograms of gold destined for Dubai.
The suspect, Willis Onyango Wasonga, also known as “Marcus,” was arrested following a complaint lodged at Capitol Hill Police Station by Gershonov Oleg on behalf of his American business partner, John Sodipo.
Detectives describe the case as a calculated money laundering operation disguised as a high-value gold transaction. Investigators believe the suspect operated within a network that specializes in defrauding foreign investors through elaborate commercial fronts.
According to investigators, Oleg first travelled to Kenya in September 2025 to pursue a gold transaction that ultimately collapsed. During that visit, he reportedly established contact with individuals presenting themselves as legitimate gold dealers.
Among those he met was Wasonga, who allegedly positioned himself as a key facilitator in sourcing and exporting nearly half a tonne of gold to Dubai. Negotiations later progressed between Sodipo and the suspect.
After reaching an agreement, Sodipo transferred chartering fees into what was presented as an escrow account managed by lawyer Michael Otieno Owano under MOAC Advocates. Oleg then flew back to Kenya to oversee the shipment process.
However, the promised consignment failed to materialize within agreed timelines. As delays mounted and communication grew inconsistent, the American businessmen reportedly realized they had fallen victim to an elaborate scam.
Investigations revealed the use of SRK Logistics Limited, a company detectives say misrepresented its capacity to supply and transport gold. Authorities allege the firm was used to create a false impression of operational credibility.
Detectives further established that documents were generated to simulate legitimate legal representation, portraying MOAC Advocates LLP as handling authentic commercial agreements tied to the transaction.
Financial trails show the deposited funds were quickly transferred across multiple accounts before being wired overseas. Investigators say this pattern reflects classic money laundering tactics, including layering and concealment of illicit proceeds.
As investigations intensified, Wasonga obtained anticipatory bail from the High Court before presenting himself at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters on February 13, 2026, for statement recording.
He was later arraigned at Milimani Law Courts, where he pleaded not guilty. The court granted him a Sh1 million bond with two contact persons or an alternative cash bail of Sh350,000.
Detectives say investigations are ongoing, with more suspects under pursuit. The matter is scheduled for mention on March 3, 2026, as authorities continue unraveling what they term a sophisticated international gold scam.
