A suspected fraud network allegedly posing as SHA registration officials to access victims’ mobile money accounts has been disrupted after detectives arrested a 37-year-old woman in Mtwapa. Police say the group targeted unsuspecting members of the public, including elderly people, using fake registration exercises to obtain sensitive personal information and facilitate SIM swaps.
Highlights
- A 37-year-old woman was arrested in Mtwapa.
- Detectives suspect the group used fake SHA registration exercises to target victims.
- Victims allegedly had their SIM cards swapped before money was taken from digital wallets.
- A suspected accomplice escaped during the police operation.
- Police recovered several insurance certificates and number-plate casings from the suspect’s vehicle.
Main Story
Fake SHA Exercise Used as a Trap
Detectives in Kilifi South and Nyali have arrested a woman suspected of being part of a group allegedly using fake SHA registration activities to facilitate SIM-swap fraud.
Investigators say the suspects moved through different parts of the country presenting themselves as government officials conducting Social Health Authority registration.
The group reportedly visited areas including Mwea, Machakos, Kitui and Mwingi while allegedly collecting personal information from unsuspecting members of the public.
How the Alleged SIM-Swap Scheme Worked
According to investigators, the suspects allegedly used information collected during the supposed registration process to facilitate SIM-card replacements.
Once they gained control of a victim’s mobile number, they could potentially access mobile money services and other digital accounts linked to the number.
Police allege that funds were then moved from victims’ digital wallets into accounts controlled by the fraudsters.
Elderly members of the public are among those police say may have been targeted because fraudsters could exploit their trust in people presenting themselves as government officials.
Suspect Arrested in Mtwapa
Acting on intelligence, detectives reportedly set up an operation around Kwa Chief in Mtwapa.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 37-year-old Phyllis Njagi, who was found driving a Mazda CX-5.
The vehicle, registration KDT 012M, was seized as detectives continued their investigations.
However, a man identified as John Mutesa Mango allegedly escaped during the operation and remains wanted by police.
Items Recovered From Vehicle
A search of the Mazda reportedly yielded several documents and vehicle-related items.
Detectives recovered five insurance certificates linked to KDT 012M, two duplicate insurance certificates associated with KDP 019N and three certificates bearing registration number KDS 150J.
Police also found two number-plate casings inside the vehicle.
Investigators are expected to examine the recovered items as they seek to establish whether they were connected to the alleged fraud operation.
Police Appeal for Information
Authorities are appealing to members of the public to assist in locating Mango, whose photograph has reportedly been circulated alongside that of Njagi.
Anyone who may have information about his whereabouts, or believes they may have been targeted by the alleged scheme, has been urged to report to the nearest police station.
Police are also reminding Kenyans to be cautious whenever approached by people claiming to conduct official registration exercises.
Members of the public should avoid handing over their phones, SIM cards, PINs, passwords, one-time passwords or other confidential information to unknown individuals.
The case is another reminder that fraudsters can use legitimate government programmes as a cover to gain the trust and personal information of potential victims.
As digital services become part of everyday life, protecting personal information is just as important as protecting the money stored behind it.
