Kiambu detectives have arrested seven individuals in connection with a well-orchestrated crime involving stupefying, SIM swapping, and fraudulent financial transactions. The incident, which occurred on Thursday night, saw a victim lose Ksh. 250,000 while enjoying drinks at an entertainment joint along Thika Road.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the seven suspects four men and three women worked together to drug the victim before swapping his SIM cards and emptying his bank and mobile money accounts.
The scheme was reportedly executed in a highly organized manner. Two of the male suspects, Moses Munene Mwangi and Lephines Mwangi Mwai, were responsible for fraudulently registering multiple SIM cards, which they used to gain access to the victim’s accounts. Meanwhile, three women Maureen Wambui Wanjohi, Purity Wamaitha Njuguna, and Jemimah Muiya Mitau were tasked with drugging the victim.
Once incapacitated, the victim’s mobile banking details were accessed, and financial transactions were initiated by the remaining two suspects, Isaac Kanini Mugo and James Omwenga. They swiftly transferred the stolen funds from the victim’s M-Pesa and Money Market Forex accounts.
After regaining consciousness and realizing his accounts had been wiped clean, the victim reported the incident to the Serious Crimes office at DCI headquarters. Detectives immediately launched an operation, leading to the rapid arrests of the suspects across various locations in Nairobi’s metropolitan region.
Munene and Mwangi were first apprehended in Kahawa West, while the three women found with Ksh. 110,000 of the stolen money were tracked down to their hideout in Githurai 44. Further investigations led detectives to Ruiru township in Kiambu, where Mugo and Omwenga were arrested for orchestrating the money transfers.
The seven suspects are currently being held at Kiamumbi Police Station, awaiting their court arraignment. They are expected to face multiple charges, including fraud, theft, and administering stupefying substances with intent to commit a felony.
The DCI has since urged the public to exercise caution, especially when socializing in entertainment spots, as criminal syndicates targeting unsuspecting revelers continue to rise. This incident underscores the growing prevalence of financial fraud through SIM swapping and the necessity for stringent security measures in mobile banking transactions.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities seek to dismantle networks involved in similar crimes across the country.
