The United States and United Kingdom governments have imposed sanctions on Kamlesh Pattni, notorious for his involvement in Kenya’s Goldenberg scandal three decades ago. This action targets Pattni for allegedly orchestrating a similar gold export scam in Zimbabwe.
Mukesh Mansukhlal Vaya, Pattni’s brother-in-law, and 26 other people and organizations involved in the Zimbabwean scheme were sanctioned by the US Treasury’s Office of Public Affairs. Concurrently, the UK’s National Crime Agency named Margaret Hodge as its new Anti-Corruption Champion and issued fines against Pattni.
In order to falsely claim export incentives from the Zimbabwean government and inflate the amount of gold exported, Pattni allegedly used Suzan General Trading. In addition to forcing US people to declare any assets held on their behalf to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the US sanctions will freeze all of Pattni’s US assets as well as those of the other sanctioned individuals and businesses. The restriction of any transactions involving the assets of the sanctioned parties is emphasized in the US Treasury announcement.
Cited Charges
The UK sanctions, citing bribery, target Pattni and four associates, freezing their assets. The UK government explicitly states that Pattni was involved in “serious corruption, namely bribery,” in support of his illicit gold trading activities.
These allegations parallel the Goldenberg International scheme in Kenya (1991-1993), where Pattni allegedly defrauded taxpayers of at least Ksh27 billion (approximately $209 million). While charged and later acquitted in Kenya, the Zimbabwean case echoes the earlier scandal, involving the manipulation of export incentives and collaboration with powerful figures.
While the US Treasury Department’s dossier doesn’t specify the exact amount allegedly stolen by Kamlesh Pattni and his associates from Zimbabwe, it details a sophisticated money laundering scheme. The documents reveal the use of 21 companies across Zimbabwe, Kenya, the UAE, Kyrgyzstan, Singapore, and the UK to launder proceeds from the sale of Zimbabwean natural resources.
The Treasury’s press release describes the scheme: “Pattni and members of his network generated cash through the sale of Zimbabwean natural resources in foreign jurisdictions. Upon returning to Zimbabwe, they overreported the amount of cash, receiving compensation for the inflated figure and bribing government officials for protection.”
The release further contextualizes the illicit gold trade, stating: “Illicit gold is an assault on legitimate trade, fueling corruption, undermining the rule of law, and entrenching human rights abuses such as child labor. Russia uses this trade to launder money and evade sanctions, supporting Putin’s war efforts.”
Other Culprits
In addition to Pattni and his brother-in-law Mukesh Mansukhlal Vaya, the US sanctions also target his nephew Mishaal Hitesh Pattni, suspected associate Sanjay Keshavji Vaya, Raj Vaya Sanjay, Rahul Sood, David Paul Crosby, and Dmytro Abakumov. The sanctioned companies include: Rubini Investments (British Virgin Islands), Manurama Ltd (Kenya), Samaria Holdings Ltd (UK), Suzan General Trading (PVT) Ltd, Skorus Investments (PVT) Ltd (Zimbabwe), Mirdk Fyuels 0500, Royal Sona 0500, Sakhara Petroleum 0500, Supreme Ef Iks 0500 (Kyrgyzstan), Fiza Gold and Bullion Trading LLC, Golden Luxury Jewellery Trading LLC, Marwa Investments Ltd, Memories Golden Jewellery LLC, Precious Bullion DMCC, Rubini Investment Group Ltd, Ruhmeer Diamonds DMCC, Samaria Holdings Ltd, Sun Multinational DMCC, Sun Star Travel & Tourism LLC, and Suzan General Trading JLT (UAE).
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Source: The EastAfrican
