NAIROBI-A Kenyan national, Willis Onyango Wasonga, was arraigned in court yesterday after allegedly defrauding an American businessman of USD 217,900 in a botched 495kg gold deal. Wasonga, also known as 'Marcus', was arrested following a report filed by Gershonov Oleg on behalf of his business partner, John Sodipo.
The complainant had travelled to Kenya to pursue a gold transaction, but it fell through. However, he established contact with Wasonga, who posed as a gold dealer.
Negotiations for the gold shipment to Dubai ensued, with Sodipo depositing the agreed chartering fees into an Escrow account held by advocate Michael Otieno Owano of MOAC Advocates.
The deal soured when the shipment failed to materialize, and detectives uncovered an elaborate web of deception involving SRK Logistics Limited and fictitious legal representation agreements.
Investigations revealed that funds were laundered through company accounts and transferred overseas.
Wasonga was granted a Ksh. 1 million bond or an alternative cash bail of Ksh. 350,000. The case is set for mention on March 3, 2026, as investigations continue.