NAIROBI, Kenya- A Dandora man will be sentenced on November 17 after pleading guilty to five counts linked to Sh250,000 that was mistakenly transferred to his bank account, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) says.
Amos Ochieng was arraigned at the Senior Principal Magistrate’s Court at JKIA on Monday, October 26.
The DCI said he admitted the charges and was convicted.
He remains in custody pending sentencing.
The case began on September 4, when the complainant mistakenly sent Sh250,000 to an account belonging to Ochieng.
Detectives from the Wilson Airport police station investigated the transfer and obtained a court order to examine the recipient’s bank account.
Investigators found that Sh150,000 had been withdrawn in three instalments before the bank blocked the remaining Sh100,000, according to the DCI.
Police later traced Ochieng to a hideout near Total Petrol Station in Dandora, where he was arrested on October 23.
DCI warns against spending money sent by mistake
The charges included one count of intentionally withholding an electronic payment delivered in error, alongside four other counts. The DCI did not provide details of the other charges in its statement.
Section 35 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act criminalises intentionally hiding or detaining an electronic payment delivered to someone by mistake when it should be delivered to another person.
The law provides for a fine of up to Sh200,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both upon conviction for that offence.
The DCI said anyone who receives money mistakenly should notify their bank immediately and follow the official reversal process.
“An erroneous credit is not a licence to spend,” the agency said.
The case highlights the legal consequences of keeping or using funds that are mistakenly deposited into an account.
The DCI urged members of the public to report such transactions promptly so banks can investigate and, where appropriate, reverse them.
The court is expected to sentence Ochieng on November 17.
