Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a 22-year-old man from Narok County suspected of stealing over Ksh45 million from bank accounts belonging to unsuspecting Kenyans.
According to the DCI, the suspect is linked to an underground web of fraudsters that has been siphoning money from bank accounts belonging innocent Kenyans.
The suspect is reported to have fraudulently acquired money from accounts belonging to 481 customers, who are on mobile banking platforms. Police say the suspect targeted bank accounts operated by a leading bank in the country.
Detectives who caught wind of the dealings traced him to his hideout and arrested him on Sunday afternoon, November 7.
He shall be arraigned at Milimani law courts on Monday, November 8, to answer to criminal charges in accordance with the law.
"Should you have any information that may assist our detectives arrest more suspects in relation to this crime," the DCI urged Kenyans.
In order to be safe and secure when dealing with mobile money platforms, Kenyans are advised to take precautionary measures such as avoid logging into their bank’s mobile website through a public Wi-Fi network, use of a strong password, logging out after use as well as avoid clicking through emails and other notifications asking you to submit your account details.
Kenyans are also advised to avoid using cyber café computers while accessing their banking apps. Do not auto-save your password in any shared computers and remember to clear your browser history and cache after an internet banking session.
World Bank recently issued a statement regarding regarding scams and trends in mobile money banking.
It urged all bank users to be wary of unusual money requests from suspicious links, portraying to be actual bank account personnel.
"If you receive what seems to be an unusual money request from person(s) representing to be bank personnel or have concerns as to the authenticity of the World Bank Group's actual involvement in a particular transaction, solicitation, notification, directive or request, do NOT respond to the request and do NOT send any money or provide any of your personal bank account details," read part of the statement.
