5 nabbed in M-Pesa fraud scheme spanning multiple counties
Five individuals have been arrested in a nationwide crackdown on a mobile money fraud scheme that has targeted shop attendants and agents across several counties in Kenya.
In a statement released by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, the arrests followed a joint operation by detectives from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau and the Operation Action Team. The operation comes after an increase in reports from mobile money shop attendants whose cash floats were wiped out using sophisticated fraud tactics.
The DCI revealed that the group was rounded up during an ongoing crackdown aimed at dismantling a wider criminal network that is believed to be behind the scheme.
The five individuals were arrested from different locations, including Eldoret and Kisumu. Authorities intercepted a Toyota Premio with registration number KBW 441J, which the group was using. Upon searching the vehicle, officers said they recovered numerous SIM cards registered under different names, along with assorted mobile phones believed to have been used in the fraudulent activities.
“Following numerous complaints reported by mobile money shop attendants whose floats have been swept clean through fraudulent tricks by a notorious criminal ring operating across counties, Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau detectives, jointly with the Operation Action Team have today rounded up five suspects,” the statement read in part.
The authorities reported that the individuals are currently being held at Ruai Police Station, where one of the initial reports was filed. Police have also reached out to other stations where similar cases have been reported to facilitate further investigations.
According to the DCI, the operation is still ongoing, and more arrests may follow as detectives continue to unravel the wider network involved in the fraud.
“The motor vehicle registration. No KBW 441J made premio in which they were driving was also intercepted and detained, wherein several SIM cards registered under different names and assorted mobile phones were also recovered. They have been escorted to Ruai Police Station, where one of the reports was filed, and other stations with similar incidents have been contacted to probe the suspects further,” the DCI statement read.
