Detectives in Marsabit County have arrested eight suspects linked to a coordinated SIM swap fraud that led to the loss of more than Sh1.2 million from a local M-Pesa operator.
The arrests mark a significant breakthrough in efforts to curb rising mobile money-related crimes across the country.
According to a statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspects were intercepted at the Merille Barrier in Marsabit South while travelling in a white Toyota Probox, registration number KDN 708Q.
The operation followed intelligence reports that connected the group to a sophisticated fraud scheme targeting mobile money agents.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly posed as customers at an M-Pesa shop in Marsabit Town.
They reportedly deceived the operator and gained access to the M-Pesa SIM card, enabling them to execute a SIM swap.
This allowed them to infiltrate the victim’s linked bank account and transfer over Sh1.2 million without authorization.
The eight suspects have been identified as Benrodgers Kyalo, Evans Mbweli, Patrick Vundi, Emily Mwende, Josephine Kasiva, Pius Mwenda, Alex Stima and Jane Mueni.
They were escorted to Marsabit Police Station alongside the vehicle used during the operation, where they remain in custody pending further investigations.
The DCI has warned that such fraud schemes are often carried out by well-organized groups that rely on distraction tactics and social engineering to manipulate their victims.
Authorities have urged M-Pesa agents to remain vigilant and avoid handing over their phones, SIM cards, or transaction devices to customers under any circumstances.
“Fraudsters often create confusion to execute their plans. Any unusual request from a customer, especially one involving access to your device, should be treated as a red flag,” the agency cautioned.
The incident highlights growing concerns over mobile money security in Kenya, where digital transactions remain a primary mode of financial exchange.
Detectives say investigations are ongoing and more arrests could follow as they work to dismantle the network behind the scheme.