How Kenyans Lost Cash as Fraudsters Used Fake SHA Registration to Swap SIM Cards

A 37-year-old woman has been arrested over an alleged SIM-swap fraud scheme in which suspects reportedly posed as government officials conducting Social Health Authority (SHA) registration to steal money from unsuspecting members of the public.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspect, identified as Phyllis Njagi, was arrested during a joint intelligence-led operation conducted by detectives from Kilifi South and Nyali in the Kwa Chief area of Mtwapa.

DCI intelligence had indicated that a woman and two men had been moving through Mwea, Machakos, Kitui, Mwingi and other areas while pretending to conduct SHA registration.

The suspects allegedly used the exercise to obtain victims’ personal information before swapping their SIM cards and gaining access to their mobile money accounts and other digital wallets.

Stolen Funds

The stolen funds were then reportedly transferred to accounts under their control.

Njagi was arrested while driving a Mazda CX-5, registration number KDT 012M, which detectives detained for further examination.

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However, a man identified as John Mutesa Mango, who is believed to be Njagi’s accomplice, escaped during the operation and remains at large.

During a search of the vehicle, detectives recovered five insurance certificates bearing registration number KDT 012M, two duplicate insurance certificates for motor vehicle KDP 019N, three insurance certificates for motor vehicle KDS 150J, and two number-plate casings.

Public To Remain Vigilant

Additionally, the DCI has appealed to members of the public to assist in tracing Mango and urged anyone with information about his whereabouts or who may have fallen victim to the scheme to report to the nearest police station.

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Authorities have also warned the public to remain vigilant when approached by individuals claiming to conduct government registration exercises.

Further, Kenyans have been advised not to hand over their mobile phones, SIM cards, PINs, passwords, one-time passwords (OTPs), or other sensitive personal information to strangers.

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