A 37-year-old woman, Phyllis Njagi, has been arrested in Mtwapa, Kilifi County, over suspected involvement in a SIM-swap fraud scheme targeting members of the public through fake Social Health Authority (SHA) registration exercises.
Her suspected accomplice, John Mutesa Mango, escaped during the operation and is currently being sought by detectives from Kilifi South and Nyali.
The arrest followed a joint intelligence-led operation after detectives received information about a group allegedly posing as government employees to conduct SHA registration. The suspects reportedly targeted unsuspecting members of the public, particularly elderly people, while moving across different parts of the country.
According to the information gathered by detectives, the group had been operating in areas including Mwea, Machakos, Kitui and Mwingi. They allegedly used the registration exercise as an opportunity to collect personal information from their victims, which they would then use to carry out SIM-swap fraud.
SIM-swap fraud involves transferring a victim’s mobile number to another SIM card controlled by criminals.
Once the swap is completed, the suspects may attempt to access mobile money accounts and other digital wallets linked to the phone number. In the reported case, the suspects allegedly transferred money from victims’ accounts to accounts under their control.
Acting on the intelligence, detectives organised an operation in the Kwa Chief area of Mtwapa, where they managed to arrest Njagi. The suspect was reportedly driving a Mazda CX-5 bearing registration number KDT 012M when officers intercepted her.
The vehicle was detained to allow detectives to conduct further investigations and establish whether it was connected to the suspected fraud activities. During the operation, however, Mango reportedly managed to escape and remains at large.
A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the recovery of several insurance certificates and two number-plate casings. Detectives recovered five insurance certificates bearing registration number KDT 012M, as well as two duplicate insurance certificates linked to motor vehicle KDP 019N.
The officers also found three insurance certificates for motor vehicle KDS 150J. The items have been taken for examination as investigators continue working to establish their relevance to the suspected criminal activities.
Authorities are now appealing to members of the public to assist in tracing Mango. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has shared his photograph alongside that of Njagi as part of efforts to establish his whereabouts and identify anyone who may have information about the case.
Members of the public who know where Mango is or believe they may have fallen victim to the suspected scheme have been urged to report the matter to the nearest police station. Information can also be shared through the DCI’s #FichuaKwaDCI reporting platform.
Members of the public have been advised to verify the identity of individuals conducting registration exercises before providing any sensitive details.
The public has further been warned against handing over mobile phones, SIM cards, personal identification details, mobile money PINs, passwords or one-time passwords (OTPs) to unknown individuals. Such information can be used to compromise digital accounts and expose victims to financial losses.
Detectives are expected to continue investigating the suspected network as they work to trace the escaped suspect, establish the full extent of the fraud and determine whether other people were involved in the scheme.
