Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested Willis Onyango Wasonga, also known as “Marcus”, over an alleged fake gold deal that saw an American businessman lose KSh29 million.
According to investigators, Wasonga is accused of orchestrating a fraudulent transaction involving 495 kilograms of gold that was purportedly destined for Dubai.
Complaint Filed at Capitol Hill Police Station
The arrest follows a complaint lodged at Capitol Hill Police Station by Gershonov Oleg on behalf of his business partner, American national John Sodipo.
DCI said Oleg first travelled to Kenya in September 2025 to explore a potential gold transaction. During his visit, he reportedly met individuals who presented themselves as gold dealers, including Wasonga, who later emerged as the main suspect in the alleged scheme.
Escrow Account and Failed Shipment
Investigators revealed that Wasonga later engaged Sodipo in negotiations to sell and charter 495 kilograms of gold to Dubai. After reaching an agreement, Sodipo deposited chartering fees into what was presented as an escrow account linked to an advocate at MOAC Advocates.
Oleg subsequently returned to Kenya to oversee the shipment process. However, authorities say the consignment failed to leave within the agreed timelines, raising red flags among the buyers.
As pressure mounted, the businessmen reportedly discovered that the promised gold shipment did not exist.
Suspected Money Laundering Trail
The DCI further disclosed that the suspects allegedly moved the funds through multiple company accounts before transferring them abroad — a pattern investigators say is consistent with money laundering practices designed to conceal the origin and destination of illicit proceeds.
The agency noted that investigations are ongoing, with detectives pursuing additional suspects believed to be linked to the elaborate scheme.
Gold scams have remained a persistent concern in Kenya, with authorities repeatedly warning foreign investors to conduct due diligence before entering into high-value mineral transactions.
