NAIROBI, Kenya- A man has been arrested in Nairobi over allegations that he spent KSh6.74 million mistakenly deposited into his bank account during a company payment run, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) says.
The suspect, Dickson Yiaile Sitei, was arrested on Saturday, October 24, along Lantana Road in Westlands.
He is expected to be charged with intentionally withholding an electronic payment delivered in error and money laundering, after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) approved the charges.
The DCI said the transaction occurred on November 18, 2025, as a company processed 74 electronic payments.
One payment of Sh72,000 was legitimate rent owed to Sitei for the company’s shop in Suswa.
However, an additional Sh6,744,354 intended for another company was also transferred to his account due to an error.
The company later sought the return of the money, but investigators allege Sitei spent the excess funds instead.
Charges approved by prosecutors
The Banking Fraud Investigation Unit investigated the matter and sent its file to the ODPP for review.
The DCI said prosecutors directed that Sitei be charged under Section 35 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act for intentionally withholding an electronic payment delivered to him by mistake.
The law criminalises intentionally hiding or withholding an electronic payment received in error when it is meant for someone else.
A person convicted under Section 35 can face a fine of up to KSh200,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
Sitei is also expected to face a money-laundering charge under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.
The DCI has not published further details on the specific transactions forming the basis of that charge.
The suspect was in custody undergoing police processing as of the DCI announcement, pending his arraignment.
What happens when money is sent by mistake?
The case is a reminder that money credited to an account in error does not automatically become the account holder’s property.
Under Section 35, knowingly retaining an electronic payment that should be delivered to another person may result in criminal charges.
The circumstances, including whether the recipient knew of the error and what they did after being informed, would be examined through the investigation and court process.
The DCI urged members of the public to return money mistakenly credited to their accounts and warned that deliberately withholding and spending such funds could attract legal action.
Anyone who receives an unexpected payment can contact their bank or payment provider to report it and seek instructions for a formal reversal.
