A man from Ruiru, Kiambu County, was arrested on Thursday in connection with a series of online fraud activities after detectives recovered 96 original national ID cards, 10 dummy foldable Samsung phones, and several sim card plates at his residence. The arrest follows an investigation into a theft incident that occurred on January 3 in Pangani, Nairobi, where a motor vehicle was reported stolen. The suspect was tracked down to his home within Hilton Estate in Ruiru, where the items were recovered.
According to police reports, the suspect had been using the stolen national IDs to create fake online accounts. He would then present himself as a legitimate seller of foldable Samsung phones, luring unsuspecting victims into purchasing the phones. However, upon delivery, the phones turned out to be cheap, dummy versions. By the time the victims realized they had been conned and reported the matter, the fraudster’s tracks were nearly impossible to trace, as investigators were led to the owners of the stolen IDs instead of the criminal himself.
Detectives have since confirmed that the suspect’s operations were well-organized, using the stolen national IDs to hide his true identity and create the illusion of credibility. This tactic allowed him to target a broad range of victims, especially through online platforms where transactions are often conducted remotely.
The authorities are concerned that this case could be part of a larger network of fraudsters operating across the country. Investigators are urging any other potential victims of the scam to come forward and report their cases. The police believe that more complainants are yet to come forward, as many may not immediately realize they have been scammed.
The suspect remains in custody at Ruaraka police cells while further investigations continue. Police have noted that online fraud cases are increasingly becoming a major issue, particularly targeting bank account holders and mobile phone users. In response, government agencies have ramped up efforts to combat this crime wave, leading to multiple arrests and ongoing investigations.
As the case unfolds, authorities are calling for more vigilance among the public when conducting online transactions to help curb the growing menace of cyber fraud.
