A man named Dr. Satninder Singh, currently testifying from Italy, told a Nairobi court about how he was tricked into losing over Ksh. 150 million through a fake gold deal involving 150 kilograms of supposed gold.
Dr. Singh said the suspects showed him fake ownership certificates dated April 9, 2024, and a mineral export permit from the Mining Department dated February 9, which had his name and passport number on them. Although they refused to give him the original documents, he managed to take photos of them.
At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Dr. Singh was told to check in and wait in the lounge for the exporters. But as the departure time approached, the suspects said they had some problems to solve. Later, they claimed that the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) had imposed a huge penalty of $1.62 million (about KSh 200 million) and threatened to seize the gold if the money was not paid in seven days.
Despite his doubts, Dr. Singh was persuaded by one of the accused, Frank, who promised to take responsibility. A contract dated April 20 was drawn up and sent to a lawyer firm, Mosota Associates, for review and signing. Dr. Singh insisted on seeing the original customs documents and direct communication from KRA, and was taken to Forodha House where a woman posing as senior customs officer Susan Oketch verified the false documents. Later, he discovered that she was not who she claimed to be.
From March to April 2024, Dr. Singh made several transfers totaling over €1 million (more than Ksh 150 million) and €13,000 in separate payments to alleged officials and lawyers. Despite this, the gold was never delivered, and the documents were fakes.
The suspects—Frank David Kateti, Alain Mwadia Nvita Lukusa, and Daniel Oteno Ogot—are charged in court with conspiring to steal over €2.1 million (about KSh 341.9 million) and USD 14,112 (about KSh 2 million) from the company Asianic Ltd by pretending they had 142 kilograms of gold to sell.
Dr. Singh explained how the suspects repeatedly misled him, presenting false documents including a mineral clearance certificate and a fake Turkish Airlines airway bill that suggested the gold shipment was leaving on March 20, 2024. When the gold failed to arrive, they gave changing stories—claiming only half the shipment would be sent by Turkish Airlines, with the other half rerouted by Somalia Airlines, which Dr. Singh rejected.
Later, the suspects said the gold shipment was being flown to Italy but again it did not arrive. Dr. Singh was even contacted by a man claiming to be diplomat Trevor Warren, who said the gold was on a UN charter but was held up by a Congolese court order demanding $4.5 million. Dr. Singh found these explanations suspicious and by March 25 realized the gold was never in Manila or anywhere as claimed.
This story reveals the dangers of fraudulent investments and highlights the need for vigilance and verification before large transactions.
