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Trio arrested as police seize Ksh1.7M fake money in Diani
30th November, 2025 02:13 PM
A covert police operation in Diani has led to the dramatic arrest of three persons of interest believed to be part of an organised counterfeit money syndicate that has been circulating fake currency across the Coast region.
The persons of interest, Fadhili Lawrence, Atemba Lawrence, and Electrine Okwako, were arrested after detectives followed forensic intelligence that traced a trail of fake notes to a secret hideout in Diani, Kwale County.
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The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), in a statement issued via social media on Sunday, November 30, 2025, announced that the operation was launched after multiple reports indicated that counterfeit Ksh1,000 notes were being circulated in Mombasa, Diani, and neighbouring towns.
The police raid
Acting on the intelligence, officers zeroed in on a premises in Diani where the illegal activity was believed to be taking place.
“A covert police operation in Diani has led to the arrest of three suspects involved in a counterfeiting ring that has been flooding Mombasa and nearby areas with fake cash. The suspects, Fadhili Lawrence, Atemba Lawrence, and Electrine Okwako, were apprehended after police followed forensic leads to a secret hideout in Diani, where the illegal trade was reported to thrive,” the DCI wrote on X.
The DCI further noted that the detectives recovered Ksh1.7 million in fake currency, all in Ksh1,000 denominations. The notes were stashed inside a laptop bag tied with a white ribbon labelled “CBK 1000”, a deceptive touch meant to make the counterfeit money appear authentic.
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Manhunt launched
Police say the arrested persons of interest are key players in a wider network that has been distributing fake cash along Kenya’s coastline. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate who are still at large.
“Inside, detectives found KES 1.7 million in counterfeit money. The fake Sh1,000 notes were hidden in a laptop bag with a white ribbon labelled “CBK 1000”, a misleading detail meant to suggest authenticity. Preliminary investigations show that the three suspects are key cogs in a broader criminal network believed to be distributing fake cash along the coast,” the statement read.
The three suspects are currently in custody and being processed ahead of their arraignment.
Authorities have also urged members of the public, especially business owners, to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.
