An American national, Sergio Patrick Antonucci, has been charged in a Kenyan court with defrauding a businessman of over USD 1.2 million (Ksh 163.98 million) in a bogus gold deal. Antonucci, who appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi, denied two counts of conspiracy to defraud and obtain money by pretences.
He is accused of falsely claiming that he could sell 2,820 kilograms of gold to American businessman Tanner Caldwell Cook. The alleged crime took place between March 31 and May 30, 2024.
According to the prosecution, Antonucci conspired to defraud Cook by pretending to have access to a large quantity of gold, ultimately convincing him to part with a substantial sum of money.
Through his legal representative, Conrad Maloba, Antonucci applied for release on bond, assuring the court that he would comply with any terms set. “My client will comply with the bond terms imposed by the court,” Maloba stated.
Prosecutor Senior State Counsel Wairimu Waweru did not object to the bail request but urged the court to impose strict conditions, given the large sums involved. Waweru also requested that Antonucci’s passport be deposited in court, as he is a foreign national.
Magistrate Shitubi granted Antonucci a bond of Ksh 10 million, with one Kenyan surety, and ordered him to deposit his passport with the court.
In a separate case before the same court, a Congolese man, Fobonou Wassaou (also known as Joseph De-Dieu and Joseph Kabongo Malika), was charged with attempting to defraud a businesswoman of USD 26,000 (Ksh 3.35 million). He allegedly promised to ship 20 kilograms of gold from Kenya to Dubai but denied the charges. He was remanded in custody pending a bail hearing.
In recent weeks, Kenyan police have intensified their crackdown on fake gold dealers. Over Sh262 million has been defrauded from unsuspecting victims, and several other individuals have been charged in connection with these scams.
Other notable suspects include Congolese nationals Eric Kalala Mukendi and Steve Okoth Odek, who were charged with similar offences related to gold fraud. Mukendi and Antonucci, charged in connection with defrauding Tanner Caldwell Cook, will likely have their cases consolidated.
In addition, four other individuals—Nazlim Karim Rahimbux, Hubrand Kanyango Ndong’o, Susan Wanjeri Kogi, and Elvis Ouma Muga—denied charges of defrauding a company, Azaz Shine Gold & Diamond LLC, of USD 100,000 (Ksh 12.9 million). The four were granted bond after defence counsel Danstan Omari argued that they lacked financial means.
This series of gold-related fraud cases continues to make headlines in Kenya as authorities work to combat the growing wave of scams targeting local and international businesses.
