A fake gold merchant is now fighting for his freedom after detectives arrested and arraigned him over a brazen USD 217,900 gold scam that targeted an American investor. Authorities say Willis Onyango Wasonga orchestrated a calculated fraud disguised as a 495-kilogram gold export deal to Dubai, then laundered the proceeds through a web of company accounts.
The arrest followed a formal complaint lodged at Capitol Hill Police Station, triggering investigations that uncovered what detectives describe as a sophisticated criminal enterprise built on deception, forged legitimacy, and financial layering.
Detectives launched investigations after Gershonov Oleg reported the matter on behalf of his American business partner, John Sodipo, who had wired funds for what he believed was a legitimate gold shipment.
Oleg had first visited Kenya in September 2025 in pursuit of a gold transaction that never materialized, but during that trip, he established contact with several individuals claiming to deal in precious metals. Among them was Willis Onyango Wasonga, who also operated under the alias “Marcus” and allegedly presented himself as a credible facilitator in the gold trade.
How the Fake Gold Merchant Engineered the Gold Deal and Laundered the Funds
Investigators say the suspect carefully cultivated trust before moving in for the financial strike. After initial introductions, negotiations intensified between Sodipo and Wasonga over the purchase and chartering of 495 kilograms of gold to Dubai.
The discussions reportedly included pricing structures, logistics arrangements, and export timelines designed to mirror legitimate international trade practices. The suspect allegedly convinced the investors that the transaction had strong logistical and legal backing, which lowered their guard and accelerated the deal.
Sodipo eventually deposited the agreed chartering fees into what he believed was a secure escrow account under advocate Michael Otieno Owano of MOAC Advocates. Oleg traveled back to Kenya to supervise the anticipated shipment process and to ensure that the consignment moved according to schedule. However, investigators say the shipment never left the ground, and repeated assurances soon turned into evasive responses as the promised timelines expired without explanation.
As pressure mounted from the American investors demanding proof of shipment, detectives say it became increasingly clear that the gold deal was a mirage. Authorities now believe the suspects deliberately created urgency and projected confidence to maintain control over the transaction while quietly shifting the funds beyond immediate reach.
Investigators describe the operation as deliberate and structured, not impulsive, and argue that it reflected hallmarks of organized financial crime rather than a simple commercial dispute.
Corporate Fronts and Fabricated Legitimacy
Detectives uncovered what they describe as an elaborate scheme designed to simulate authenticity at every stage of the transaction. Central to the alleged deception was SRK Logistics Limited, a company investigators say misrepresented its capacity to source and transport gold.
The firm allegedly played a strategic role in presenting the deal as professionally managed, complete with documentation and coordination narratives that reassured the foreign investors. Investigators also examined legal representation documents that purported to formalize the transaction under recognized commercial frameworks.
These documents allegedly portrayed MOAC Advocate LLP as handling legitimate business dealings, thereby reinforcing the illusion of compliance and due process. Detectives now suspect that the paperwork functioned primarily as a confidence-building tool intended to unlock the transfer of funds rather than to facilitate a genuine export transaction.
Authorities argue that the use of corporate branding, structured agreements, and professional language helped disarm skepticism and gave the investors a false sense of security. By the time doubts began to crystallize, investigators say the financial machinery behind the alleged scam had already shifted into its next phase.
Money Trail Reveals Classic Laundering Tactics
Financial investigators traced the movement of the USD 217,900 and discovered patterns consistent with money laundering. According to detectives, the funds moved swiftly between multiple company accounts before portions of the money were transferred overseas, a strategy that complicated tracking efforts and diluted the transactional footprint.
Investigators believe the suspects employed layering techniques to obscure the origin of the funds and to conceal the proceeds of what authorities now classify as suspected criminal activity. Detectives emphasize that the rapid movement of funds between accounts reduced the likelihood of immediate recovery and suggests prior planning.
They argue that the structuring of transactions reflects knowledge of financial systems and indicates intent to evade scrutiny rather than to resolve a stalled business arrangement. As investigations tightened, Wasonga sought anticipatory bail at the High Court before presenting himself at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters on February 13, 2026, to record a statement.
Authorities later arrested him and arraigned him at Milimani Law Courts, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court granted him a bond of Ksh 1 million with two contact persons or an alternative cash bail of Ksh 350,000, allowing him temporary release pending further proceedings.
The case is scheduled for mention on March 3, 2026, as detectives continue to pursue additional suspects they believe may have participated in or facilitated the alleged fake gold merchant network. Investigators are reviewing financial records, corporate filings, and cross-border transactions to determine whether the operation extends beyond the individuals already identified.
This case has reignited concerns about Kenya’s gold brokerage sector, where weak oversight and informal networks often create fertile ground for fraud. Authorities now urge foreign investors to conduct rigorous due diligence and to verify export documentation independently before transferring funds in high-value mineral transactions.
