A Kenyan man accused of taking part in a multi-million fake gold scheme targeting a foreign investor has denied the charges in court, as details emerge of an elaborate plan that involved cross-border travel, staged meetings, and large money transfers.
Duncan Okaka Okonji appeared before the Milimani Law Courts on March 25, 2026, where he faced a charge of conspiracy to defraud linked to a deal worth USD 600,000, about Sh77.4 million. He pleaded not guilty and was released on a bond of Sh5 million or an alternative cash bail of Sh1 million, with two contact persons required. The case will be mentioned on April 7, 2026.
Investigators say the case began in October 2025 when the complainant, an Australian national, was in Dubai and met a man identified as Marshall Morrison, who allegedly claimed to be an American investor. Morrison is said to have later introduced the complainant to Okonji, who presented himself as a facilitator in a gold transaction involving a 590 kilogram consignment.
According to investigators, the complainant was taken to Tanzania, where he was shown what were presented as gold mining sites, before being brought to Kenya as part of the deal process.
Authorities say the suspects arranged several meetings and prepared documents to convince the complainant that plans were in place to ship the gold to Dubai. Believing the deal was genuine, the victim is said to have transferred USD 600,000 through Conrad Law Advocates LLC.
The complainant later became suspicious and reported the matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, triggering investigations into the alleged fraud.
During the probe, detectives uncovered what they described as a well-planned scheme designed to appear real, with the suspects using travel, documents, and controlled interactions to build trust and secure the funds.
The DCI said it remains focused on breaking up such networks and dealing with organised fraud that targets investors across borders.
“We remain committed to dismantling transnational fraud syndicates and ensuring that proceeds of crime are traced and recovered,” investigators said.
Members of the public have been urged to report suspected fraud through the agency’s anonymous channels, including the #FichuaKwaDCI hotline and WhatsApp platform, with authorities assuring, “Usiogope!”
