A Kenyan man has been arrested and charged in connection with a KSh 77 million (USD 600,000) fake gold scam that allegedly targeted a foreign investor, authorities said.
Duncan Okaka Okonji was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on 25 March 2026, a day after his arrest. He faces charges of conspiracy to defraud contrary to Section 317 of the Penal Code. Okonji denied the charges and was released on a bond of KSh 5 million or an alternative cash bail of KSh 1 million, with two contact persons. The case will be mentioned on 7 April 2026.
Investigators say the alleged fraud began in October 2025 when the victim, an Australian national, was in Dubai. He was reportedly introduced to an individual identified as Marshall Morrison, who allegedly posed as an American investor.
Authorities say Morrison later connected the complainant to Okonji, who presented himself as a facilitator in a gold transaction involving a 590-kilogram consignment. The deal appeared legitimate, with a series of engagements designed to build trust.
The investigation revealed a complex cross-border operation involving multiple locations. The victim was allegedly taken to Tanzania, where he was shown what were presented as mining sites before being brought to Kenya.
Authorities say the suspects staged meetings and prepared documentation to convince the investor that arrangements were underway to ship the gold consignment to Dubai, creating the impression of a genuine international trade transaction.
Believing the deal was legitimate, the victim reportedly transferred USD 600,000 through Conrad Law Advocates LLC. However, suspicions later emerged, prompting him to report the matter to investigators.
The case was subsequently taken up by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, which launched a probe into the suspected fraud network.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations said it remains committed to dismantling transnational fraud syndicates and protecting investors from organised scams.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has reiterated its commitment to dismantling transnational fraud syndicates, disrupting organised investment scams, and ensuring that proceeds of crime are identified, traced, and recovered in accordance with the law,” the agency said.
Authorities urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
