Three Nigerians were on Wednesday, November 12, nabbed in Mwea Town, Kirinyaga County, after detectives uncovered a suspected cyber fraud syndicate believed to have been operating from a rented apartment.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspects were arrested in Mwaliko Estate after a multi-agency raid conducted last night on a tip from members of the public.
The three suspects were reportedly flushed out from their hideout after area locals raised an alarm over suspicious movements.
Residents also raised an alarm over what was described as 'late-night' activities from the Nigerian nationals, which raised further suspicion.
Following the raid, detectives recovered 21 mobile phones, 79 SIM cards, and a laptop – items typically used in online scams.
Detectives also recovered tens of credit cards from different banks, all pointing to a coordinated fraud network.
“A well-coordinated multi-agency raid in Mwaliko Estate within Mwea town has blown the lid off a suspected cyber fraud ring,” the DCI said in a statement.
“Alert members of the public raised the alarm over suspicious movements and late-night activities inside a rented apartment, prompting swift action by detectives.”
The Nigerians reportedly claimed they were running an online business, but detectives have since established that the three are in the country illegally since their entry passes had long expired. The trio also lacked valid work permits.
Among the spate of charges the three suspects could potentially face is computer fraud under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018.
Since the suspects were arrested with multiple credit cards and mobile phones, the suspects could be charged for possession of forged or stolen electronic data, which is a serious crime under both the Penal Code and the Cybercrimes Act, with penalties of up to seven years’ imprisonment.
The suspects are currently in custody as investigators dig deeper into their network, tracing possible links to cross-border cybercrime syndicates.
