Kenyan Man Arrested for Scamming American KSh29M in Fake Gold Deal

Detectives have apprehended Willis Onyango Wasonga, popularly known as “Marcus,” over an alleged gold scam that saw an American investor lose KSh29 million in a fake gold deal involving 495 kilograms.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspect was arrested after a formal complaint was lodged at Capitol Hill Police Station. The report was filed by Gershonov Oleg on behalf of his business associate, American citizen John Sodipo.

How the Alleged Scam Happened

Investigators revealed that Oleg travelled to Kenya in September 2025 to explore a possible gold purchase. During his stay, he reportedly met several individuals who claimed to be genuine gold traders. Among them was Wasonga, who later became the key suspect in the case.

The DCI states that Wasonga later entered into negotiations with Sodipo for the sale and shipment of 495 kilograms of gold destined for Dubai.

Money Sent to Escrow Account

After agreeing on the deal, Sodipo allegedly transferred the required chartering fees into what was presented as an escrow account linked to an advocate at MOAC Advocates. Oleg subsequently returned to Kenya to supervise the expected shipment.

However, the consignment failed to depart within the agreed timeline, raising suspicion among the buyers.

Buyers Realise the Deal Was Fake

As delays continued, the businessmen reportedly discovered that the gold shipment did not exist and that the entire transaction was fraudulent.

Further investigations by the DCI indicate that the suspects moved the funds through multiple company accounts before wiring the money abroad — a method detectives say resembles money-laundering tactics intended to hide the trail of the stolen funds.

Authorities say investigations are still ongoing as detectives work to trace the money and identify other possible accomplices involved in the scheme.