The Directorate of Criminal Investiagations (DCI) have arrested eight people in connection with a suspected SIM swap scheme that allegedly led to the loss of more than Sh1.2 million from an M-Pesa operator in Marsabit.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the group was intercepted at the Merille Barrier in Marsabit South while travelling in a white Toyota Probox.
This followed intelligence received by detectives regarding the group’s suspected criminal activities.
According to the reports, the individuals allegedly posed as customers at an M-Pesa shop in Marsabit Town, where they are believed to have deceived the operator before swapping the M-Pesa SIM card.
The authority urged M-Pesa agents and members of the public to remain vigilant against similar schemes, warning that fraudsters often rely on deception and coordinated distractions to execute their plans.
“Fraudsters often work in groups, creating distractions while executing their scheme,” the DCI said.
It further advised agents never to surrender their SIM cards, mobile phones or M-Pesa handsets to customers under any circumstances.
“If the customer makes unusual requests or insists on handling your phone, treat it as a red flag,” it added.
It further cautioned that unusual customer requests involving an agent’s mobile phone or SIM card should be treated with suspicion.
Detectives said investigations into the suspected fraud are ongoing as they seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
