Italian National Tells Court How He Was Conned Sh300M In Nairobi By Fake Gold Scammers

A foreigner has recounted before a Nairobi court how he lost more than Sh300 million to conmen posing as gold dealers.

Dr. Satninder Singh told the court that he lost the money in the process of purchasing 150 kilograms of gold.

Testifying virtually from Italy, the victim testified before senior principal magistrate Robinson Ondieki how the accused persons, Frank David Kateti, Alain Mwadia Nvita Lukusa and Daniel Otieno Ogot made him believe that they would deliver the consignment after being shown the precious metal.

With hopes of investing in the gold business, Singh was sure the deal would push through, until departure day came.

He testified that the suspects first showed him certificates of ownership dated April 9, 2024, and a mineral export permit allegedly issued by the Mining Department on February 9, bearing his name and passport number.

He said the accused persons then told him to wait for the “exporters” at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

“We were instructed to check in at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, proceed to the lounge and wait for the exporters,” he said.

As departure time approached, the alleged consignment had not yet been cleared and upon questioning, he was informed that Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) had imposed a penalty of USD $1.62 million on the consignment.

The purported penalty, he was informed, was to be paid within seven days, failure to which the consignment would be confiscated.

“I was told that once payment was made, the consignment would be cleared within three days,” the complainant said.

Though hesitant, the complainant was convinced by Frank to pay the money.

The foreigner said he insisted on seeing the original customs documents and direct communication from KRA regarding the alleged penalty.

The businessman said he was later taken to Forodha House, where he was introduced to a woman named Susan Oketch, who claimed to be a senior customs officer.

The court heard that he was shown his file by the said Oketch who also verified the information the accused persons had told him.

After this, he wired over €256,000 and presented proof of payment at Mosota Associates Advocates. He then made additional payments amounting to over a million Euros.

Singh told the court that after making the payments, the gold was never delivered. Instead the accused persons made excuses and demanded more money from him.

He said he was even informed that there was a Congolese court order demanding USD 4.5 million, money which was allegedly preventing the release of the consignment.

The matter was reported the police leading to the arrest of the three suspects.

The three are charged with obtaining € 2,018,016 (Apprx. Sh 341,931,276.107) and USD 14,112 by falsely pretending he was in a position to sell 142 KGs of gold to Asianic Limited, a fact they knew to be false.