Detectives from the Operation Support Unit (OSU) have arrested a suspect accused of orchestrating a SIM-swap fraud scheme that led to the loss of Sh450,500 from a victim’s M-Pesa account.
According to investigators, the victim left Kenya for the United States in January 2019 after securing a job opportunity abroad. To ensure continued access to her mobile line and M-Pesa services while away, she enrolled her Safaricom line in the Daima programme, which allows customers living abroad to keep their lines active for extended periods.
The line reportedly functioned normally until May 24, 2024, when all cellular and M-Pesa services suddenly stopped working. Upon returning to Kenya in December 2024, the woman discovered that her SIM card had been replaced without her authorization.
Further checks revealed that the M-Pesa account, which she expected to hold approximately Sh450,500, had been nearly emptied, leaving a balance of only Sh18.
Investigations by detectives established that on October 15, 2024, a total of Sh450,500 was transferred from the victim’s account in two transactions to a phone number registered under the name .
Following months of investigations, detectives tracked the suspect to Ngumba Estate, where he was arrested. A search conducted at his residence reportedly led to the recovery of two mobile phones and six SIM card holders believed to be relevant to the ongoing investigations.
The suspect is currently in police custody and is being processed ahead of his arraignment in court.
