A foreign national has been arraigned in court over his alleged involvement in a fraudulent gold scheme that defrauded two businessmen of USD 120,000. Jean Emmanuel Morlon was presented before the Senior Principal Magistrate’s Court No. 1 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Law Court, where he faced multiple charges related to the scam.
Morlon had been in custody following a 12-day custodial order granted on February 4, 2025, which allowed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit (DCI-FCIO) to finalize their probe. The suspect is accused of orchestrating a gold scam that left a Romanian and a Swiss businessman seeking justice after they were defrauded of a substantial amount of money.
Upon his arraignment, the DCI-FCIO pressed several charges against Morlon, including Obtaining Money by False Pretenses, Possession of a Firearm Without a Firearm Certificate, Possession of Ammunition Without a Firearm Certificate, Creating a False Document, and Forgery of an Official Document. Despite the weight of these accusations, Morlon pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During the court proceedings, the investigating team strongly opposed Morlon’s release on bail, arguing that he posed a significant flight risk. Given the nature of the offenses and the potential for him to evade justice, the court ordered his continued detention at the Industrial Area Remand Prison.
Cases of gold scams have been on the rise in Kenya, with fraudsters targeting unsuspecting investors seeking to trade in gold. Authorities have warned foreigners to exercise due diligence when engaging in gold transactions to avoid falling victim to elaborate schemes run by criminal networks.
The case is scheduled for mention on March 3, 2025, when the prosecution is expected to provide updates on the investigation and present further evidence. Meanwhile, detectives continue to gather intelligence on potential accomplices who may have facilitated the fraudulent dealings.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts by Kenyan authorities to crack down on financial crimes and protect investors from fraudulent activities. With increased surveillance and a commitment to prosecuting offenders, the government aims to restore confidence in legitimate gold trading and deter criminal enterprises from exploiting the sector.
As the legal proceedings continue, stakeholders in the gold trade are urged to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to weed out fraudsters and promote ethical business practices within the industry. The outcome of Morlon’s trial will serve as a crucial precedent in the fight against fraudulent gold transactions in the country.
