Julius Kiprop
- A US man, Antonucci Sergio Patrick, was charged in court for a fake gold deal worth $1.35 million.
- Sergio tricked another US citizen into sending money for gold that was never delivered.
- He worked with others who pretended to be a US soldier and a gold exporter.
- Sergio was given a bond of Ksh 10 million; the case will continue on January 23, 2025.
- Police warn people to be careful when doing big money deals.
A US man, Antonucci Sergio Patrick, has been taken to court in Nairobi over a fake gold scam. He is accused of stealing $1.35 million (about Ksh 200 million) by lying to another US citizen about selling gold.
How It Started
The story began in July 2023 when Sergio met the victim in Las Vegas. Sergio said he was an expert in gold deals in Africa. The victim trusted him and hired him to help buy gold.
Fake Deals and Payments
The victim paid Sergio a signing bonus of $50,000 in August 2023. He sent more money—$15,000 each in January and February 2024.
When the victim visited Nairobi, Sergio introduced him to:
- Caden Gebhard, who pretended to be a US soldier.
- Eric Kalala Mukendi, a Congolese man who claimed he was a gold exporter.
They met at a hotel in Nairobi and signed a contract to buy 2,820 kilograms of gold. Between March and May 2024, the victim sent $1.27 million, but the gold was never delivered.
Arrest and Court
Sergio was arrested when he arrived in Kenya from Dubai. In court, he said he was not guilty. The judge gave him a bond of Ksh 10 million. The next hearing will be on January 23, 2025.
Police Warning
The police are still looking for other people involved in the scam. They warned people to be very careful when doing big business deals, especially when buying gold.
The case shows how fake gold deals can trick people into losing a lot of money. The police are working to stop such scams and keep everyone safe.
