BUNGOMA, Kenya – Police in Bungoma County have arrested two suspects linked to an alleged mobile phone theft and cybercrime syndicate operating within the region.
The arrests followed weeks of investigations into rising cases of phone theft and related cyber-enabled crimes, police said.
Officers raided a shop in Kimilili Town, where the two suspects were apprehended. Preliminary findings indicate the suspects are part of a wider criminal network involved in stealing, reprogramming and reselling stolen mobile phones across Bungoma County.
During the operation, police recovered 73 mobile phones believed to have been stolen from unsuspecting members of the public.
Officers also seized specialised equipment suspected to have been used to flash and reprogramme mobile devices to conceal their original ownership.
The suspects are being held in police custody as investigations continue.
Police said efforts are underway to trace and arrest other members of the syndicate believed to be operating in different parts of the county.
The suspects are expected to be arraigned in court once investigations are complete.