A Kenyan suspect has been arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts over an alleged USD 600,000 fake gold scam targeting an Australian national in a case highlighting the persistence of transnational investment fraud schemes.
The accused, Duncan Okaka Okonji, was arrested on March 24, 2026 and presented in court the following day, where he was charged with conspiracy to defraud contrary to Section 317 of the Penal Code. He denied the charge.
The court released Okonji on a bond of Ksh 5 million or an alternative cash bail of Ksh 1 million, with two contact persons. The matter is scheduled for mention on April 7, 2026.
According to investigators, the case dates back to October 2025, when the complainant, while in Dubai, was introduced to an individual identified as Marshall Morrison, who allegedly posed as an American investor. Morrison is said to have linked the victim to Okonji, who presented himself as a facilitator of a gold transaction involving approximately 590 kilograms.
Investigations indicate that the complainant was first taken to Tanzania, where he was shown what were presented as mining sites, before being brought to Kenya as part of the elaborate scheme.
Authorities say the suspects staged multiple meetings and produced documentation to convince the victim that arrangements were underway to ship the gold consignment to Dubai.
Believing the deal to be legitimate, the complainant reportedly transferred USD 600,000 through a law firm account before later suspecting foul play and reporting the matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The DCI has stated that investigations are ongoing, including efforts to identify additional suspects and uncover the full scope of the alleged fraud network.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to dismantling transnational fraud syndicates, particularly those exploiting Kenya’s gold trade to target foreign investors, and to ensure that proceeds of crime are traced and recovered in accordance with the law.
