A suspected SIM-swap fraudster targeting members of the public, particularly the elderly, under the guise of conducting Social Health Authority (SHA) registration has been arrested in Kilifi.
The suspect was arrested following a joint intelligence-led operation by detectives from Kilifi South and Nyali.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the operation followed intelligence indicating that a woman and two men had been moving around Mwea, Machakos, Kitui, Mwingi and other areas while posing as government employees conducting SHA registration.
The suspects allegedly used the registration exercise to obtain personal information from unsuspecting members of the public.
According to the DCI, the suspects would then use the information to swap victims’ SIM cards and gain access to their mobile money accounts and other digital wallets.
The funds would subsequently be transferred to accounts allegedly controlled by the suspects.
Acting on the intelligence, detectives laid an ambush in the Kwa Chief area of Mtwapa, where they arrested 37-year-old Phyllis Njagi.
At the time of her arrest, Njagi was driving a Mazda CX-5, which was detained for further examination.
However, her alleged accomplice, John Mutesa Mango, managed to escape during the operation and remains at large.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of five insurance certificates, two duplicate motor vehicle insurance certificates, three insurance certificates for motor vehicles and two number-plate casings.
The recovered items have been secured as detectives continue with investigations into the alleged fraud network.
The DCI has appealed to members of the public to assist detectives in identifying and tracing Mango, whose photograph has been released alongside that of his arrested accomplice, Njagi.
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