NAIROBI, Kenya – Detectives have been given five more days to investigate an alleged SIM swap syndicate suspected of using stolen personal information to access victims’ bank and mobile money accounts and steal millions of shillings.
Milimani Chief Magistrate Gethi Kibiru on Monday authorised the detention of two suspects, Cyrus Mochache Bosire and Ronald Langat, following their arrest in Utawala on October 2.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had sought permission to detain the suspects for 15 days at Gigiri Police Station but the court granted only five days.
The investigation centres on the alleged theft of more than Sh7.5 million from a woman’s Sacco account after her Safaricom line was allegedly taken over without her authorisation.
Woman Lost Sh7.5 Million After SIM Swap
According to investigators, Dorice Achieng Omolo travelled to London on September 10.
On the same day, her Safaricom number was allegedly replaced without her knowledge or consent.
Police allege that the person who gained control of the number subsequently accessed her UN DT Sacco account and withdrew Sh7,505,705.
Detectives further claim that a Sh10 million loan was fraudulently obtained from the Sacco before the money was transferred through several M-Pesa and bank accounts.
Investigators told the court that some of the suspected proceeds have since been traced to accounts allegedly linked to Bosire and Langat.
Detectives Probe Source Of Personal Data
The investigation has now expanded beyond the alleged SIM replacement, with detectives seeking to establish how personal information belonging to potential victims was obtained.
Police are investigating whether travellers’ details may have been accessed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and subsequently supplied to members of the suspected network.
Detectives are also examining whether the information was used to facilitate SIM swaps and access financial accounts.
CCTV Leads Police To Mazda CX-5
Investigators are also tracing a Mazda CX-5, registration number KDR 293F, which was captured on CCTV at Two Rivers Mall around the time Omolo’s phone line was allegedly taken over.
The DCI has requested ownership records from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to establish who owns the vehicle and whether its owner or occupants are connected to the investigation.
CCTV footage from Two Rivers Mall is also awaiting forensic analysis as detectives reconstruct the movements of people suspected of involvement in the alleged transactions.
Phones, Identity Cards Recovered
Detectives said mobile phones recovered from the suspects contained messages allegedly relating to withdrawals from Omolo’s Sacco account.
The devices are awaiting forensic examination by DCI cybercrime experts.
Officers also recovered 13 Kenyan identity cards and five airline tickets.
Investigators want to establish the owners of the documents and determine whether they were obtained or used in connection with the alleged criminal activity.
More Than 15 Witnesses Yet To Be Interviewed
The DCI told the court that the investigation remains incomplete, with more than 15 witnesses and victims yet to be interviewed.
Detectives also want to analyse electronic devices and financial transactions, trace the suspected proceeds and establish whether other people were involved in the alleged network.
Police opposed the release of Bosire and Langat, arguing that their freedom could allow them to interfere with witnesses, communicate with suspected accomplices or conceal or destroy evidence.
The court also heard that several people believed to be linked to the alleged syndicate have not yet been arrested.
The two suspects are being investigated over alleged offences including theft, forgery, personation, computer fraud, unauthorised access to personal data and fraudulent use of electronic information.
The suspects have not been convicted of the alleged offences.
