A Kenyan man, Willis Onyango Wasonga, has been arraigned at Milimani Law Courts over allegations of defrauding an American businessman of USD 217,900 in a purported 495kg gold deal.
The case, revealed by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on social media, has exposed a sophisticated scheme involving money laundering and fictitious gold transactions.
According to the DCI, the American investors, John Sodipo and his associate Gershonov Oleg, first engaged with the suspect in September 2025 when Oleg visited Kenya to explore a gold transaction that never materialized.
During that visit, Oleg reportedly established connections with alleged gold dealers, including Wasonga, also known as ‘Marcus’.
The deal progressed when Sodipo agreed to purchase and charter 495kgs of gold to Dubai, depositing the chartering fees into an escrow account purportedly managed by advocate Michael Otieno Owano of MOAC Advocates.
Oleg flew to Kenya to oversee the shipment process, but delays and inconsistencies quickly raised suspicions.
Investigators describe the operation as a calculated scam orchestrated by individuals exhibiting “dark triad” characteristics, enabling them to manipulate and deceive while remaining emotionally detached from their actions.
Further investigations revealed that Wasonga and associates allegedly used SRK Logistics Limited to falsely portray their capacity to supply gold.
Fictitious legal agreements were also generated to create a facade of legitimacy. Funds paid by the investors were reportedly transferred between company accounts and eventually moved overseas, consistent with patterns of money laundering such as layering and concealment.
Wasonga secured anticipatory bail at the High Court before voluntarily appearing at DCI headquarters on February 13, 2026, to record his statement.
During his court arraignment, he pleaded not guilty and was granted a bond of Ksh 1 million with two sureties or an alternative cash bail of Ksh 350,000.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities pursue additional suspects linked to the case. The matter is scheduled for mention on March 3, 2026, at Milimani Law Courts.
This case highlights the increasing complexity of transnational fraud schemes targeting foreign investors in Kenya, underscoring the importance of rigorous due diligence and legal safeguards in cross-border commercial transactions.