A suspected gold fraudster, Eric Kalala Mukendi, was charged in court on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, with conspiracy to steal over $1 million by pretending to supply gold.
Mukendi is accused of conspiring to steal $1,271,200.74 from Tanner Caldwell Cook, a victim he allegedly deceived with promises of selling 2,820 kilograms of gold.
The suspect is said to have approached Caldwell on multiple occasions between March 31, 2024, and May 30, 2024, presenting a fraudulent gold business deal, which led to the siphoning of the sum in question.
After duping Caldwell, Mukendi allegedly vanished until he was apprehended by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on December 1, 2024.
In addition to the theft of over $1 million, Mukendi is also charged with stealing Ksh 223,756,000 from Caldwell under the same fraudulent pretense.
The accused was arraigned before Magistrate Gilbert Shikwe, where he denied all charges.
Mukendi was remanded in police custody until December 11, 2024, for a ruling on his bail or bond application.
