A suspected cryptocurrency fraudster wanted for defrauding multiple victims across Kenya was apprehended in Nakuru County on Tuesday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed.
Bavon Onyancha Masese, also known as Abdirahaman Abdikarim and Jamie Damon, was arrested in Kiamunyi following an intensive manhunt by detectives from Kilifi North.
Investigators linked Masese to a recent scam in which a Kilifi woman lost Ksh 3.9 million. This case placed him on the radar of DCI officers, who tracked his activities across several counties before his capture.
“Our team’s surveillance and digital investigations led to the identification and arrest of the suspect,” the DCI statement said.
Further inquiries revealed Masese’s involvement in multiple online transactions and cryptocurrency schemes designed to defraud Kenyans.
Authorities allege he used unauthorised SIM registrations and other digital tools to facilitate these crimes, which included money laundering and conspiracy to defraud.
Masese is scheduled to appear at Kilifi Law Courts, where he will face several charges, including obtaining money by false pretence and involvement in illegal digital financial operations.
The case underscores the growing threat of online scams targeting Kenyans, particularly through cryptocurrency, which has seen a surge in adoption amid limited regulatory oversight.
Kenya has recorded numerous instances of digital fraud in recent years, prompting government agencies to step up monitoring and enforcement.
The DCI’s swift action in this case highlights the coordination between county-based detectives and national cybercrime units in tackling financial crimes.