Chinese Nationals Held as DCI Uncovers Alleged SIM-Swap Money Laundering Network

Four Chinese nationals have been arrested in Nairobi over an alleged SIM-swapping and money laundering scheme in which a businesswoman’s mobile lines were reportedly hijacked and used to receive illicit funds.

The suspects, Xiaoling Gu, Guodong Fu, Wenji Gao and Gu Xiaopeng, were arrested after detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Parklands traced transactions linked to the complainant’s two Safaricom lines.

The investigation began after the businesswoman discovered that both lines had suddenly stopped working, cutting her off from calls and M-Pesa services.

She reported the incident to police, prompting detectives to investigate how the lines had been disconnected and what activity had taken place on them.

“The investigations kicked off after the complainant discovered that her two Safaricom lines had suddenly gone dead, leaving her unable to make calls or access M-Pesa service,” said DCI

According to the DCI, detectives established that the compromised lines had allegedly received money from a gaming and betting platform.

The funds were then moved through mobile numbers and bank accounts linked to the suspects.

The investigation led officers to the four suspects, who were subsequently arrested.

A search of their premises yielded 15 Safaricom SIM cards and nine Airtel SIM cards registered under different names.

Detectives also recovered six SIM cards belonging to foreign nationals, six mobile phones, laptops, and three ATM cards registered to different account holders.

Police further recovered Ksh 1,125,800 in cash during the operation.

The four suspects were arraigned before the Kibra Chief Magistrate’s Court on September 1, 2026, and remain in custody as the court considers their bond applications.

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Investigation Details

The DCI indicated that further arrests may be forthcoming as the detectives continue to follow new leads in the case.

The accused has not been found guilty of the alleged offences, and the allegations against him are subject to the court proceedings.

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Detectives Track Additional Leads

Detectives have kept following the money trail, probing into the alleged fraud network, and finding out if anyone else was involved.

A ruling on the bond applications is scheduled for September 4, 2026.

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A photo collage of Xiaoling Gu and Wenji Gao, who were arrested after DCI traced transactions linked to them. Credits DCI