A suspected ringleader in mobile phone theft and hacking syndicate has been apprehended in Homa Bay County.
This followed an intelligence-led operation by police targeting criminals involved in illegal device unlocking and cyber-enabled fraud.
In a statement on Saturday, 9 May 2026, the National Police Service (NPS) disclosed that the operation was part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown on syndicates linked to mobile phone theft, unlawful device unlocking and hacking activities that have increasingly affected businesses, particularly mobile phone financing companies.
“The National Police Service continues to intensify its crackdown on criminal syndicates involved in mobile phone theft, illegal unlocking, and hacking activities that have increasingly affected businesses, especially mobile device financing companies,” NPS stated.
According to the service, officers from Oyugis Police Station launched the operation after receiving credible intelligence and carrying out investigations that linked the suspect and his associates to a network allegedly involved in tampering with mobile devices for criminal gain.
During the operation, the police recovered a range of electronic devices and tools believed to have been used in the illegal activities.
Among the items seized were 20 mobile phones suspected to have been stolen, a laptop fitted with flashing and hacking software, a CM2 Dongle, and two external hard drives also loaded with device flashing and hacking tools.
“During the operation, the team recovered several items, including twenty mobile phones suspected to have been stolen, one laptop equipped with flashing and hacking tools, a CM2 Dongle, and two external hard drives also equipped with flashing and hacking tools, among other items,” the service added.
The suspect believed to be central to the syndicate’s operations was arrested and taken into custody pending further investigations and court proceedings.
