Court detains 11 suspects in SIM card fraud

Eleven suspects arrested in connection with the SIM card swapping scam have been detained for 10 days to allow police complete investigations.

Police say the investigations are extensive and involve analysis of call data records and mobile banking account statements from service providers as well as cyber reports from electronic gadgets recovered from the suspects.

According to the prosecution, the suspects may be charged with criminal offences including electronic fraud and conspiracy to defraud several complaints.

They were arrested on July 28, 2018 in Kasarani and Pipeline areas, Nairobi County, by a multi-agency security team that included officers from the cyber crime unit.

The suspects are Joash Nyamanya, Martin Kisungu, Juma Raburo, Francis Njeru, Richard Marigi, Rymon Kisongo, Sycliff Mukeku, Patrick Mwangi, Caroline Njeri, Nelson Osoro and Duke Kenyariri.

In the SIM Card Swap Fraud, a fraudster usually makes a call pretending to be an employee of a mobile network operator. They then ask the unsuspecting mobile subscriber to share their Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

After obtaining the PII, the fraudster then goes ahead to swap the SIM card, thereby gaining access to all the SIM services including mobile money transfer, mobile and internet banking, voice calls, SMS, data services and any other service that can be accessed through the SIM.

Also Read: This is how to prevent SIM Card Swap fraud