Police have nabbed a fourth-year student from Meru University of Science and Technology for running an elaborate online scam selling fake Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) examination papers as the national examination period approaches.
The suspect was nabbed in Kianjai in Tigania West sub-county following a sting operation conducted by detectives attached to KNEC.
According to the DCI, the suspect is believed to be the mastermind behind a growing online fraud network trading under the name "The Teacher's KNEC exam 2025".
The suspect is believed to be operating multiple online accounts using fake identities, including Dr Ibrahim, Madam Salim, Chat GPT, and Violent Kathini Mwendwa, to lure potential buyers.
While unsuspecting members of the public ended up paying for what they believed to be genuine KNEC exam papers, they only received doctored or completely fake documents.
"It has since been established that Nandafu is the mastermind behind an online syndicate trading under the banner 'The Teacher's KNEC Exam 2025'," DCI revealed in a statement.
Adding, "In the platform he operates under multiple online personas, conning unsuspecting members of the public into buying fake exam papers in the false hope of academic shortcuts."
During the suspect's arrest, detectives recovered 29 SIM cards, six mobile phones and two laptops, which were allegedly used to operate the fraud ring and dope clients.
The suspect is believed to have been running his operations from a concealed hideout and used several different communication channels to avoid detection.
DCI confirmed that the suspect was in custody and undergoing processing ahead of arraignment in court once investigations are complete.
If found guilty, the student faces a string of charges, ranging from forgery to uttering false documents. Under Penal Code (Cap 63), Section 382, he can also be charged with impersonation and use of false identity.
Since he promised fake KNEC papers, he also faces charges of publishing false or misleading data online with the intent to deceive under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018 – Section 22.
Meanwhile, KNEC and DCI have ramped up surveillance and crackdown operations targeting exam-related crimes, particularly as the country moves into exam season.
"Members of the public are warned against engaging with fraudsters claiming to sell genuine examination papers, as all official exams are securely administered and protected by strict integrity measures," the DCI urged.
