DCI detectives arrest cyber-espionage suspect in Wundanyi, recover 500 simcards, 25 modems

Detectives drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have arrested a 52-year-old Archibald Kalela Mwandawiro, a cyber-espionage suspect in Wundanyi, Taita Taveta.

Mwandawiro, a computer expert at a local university was arrested with devices used in the interception, access and transmission of unwanted messages to unauthorized recipients.

During the operation, two Global Systems for Mobile communications (GSM), one fitted with 512 sim cards, four Internet Routers, a GSM Skyline with 64 Safaricom sim cards, 25 modems, 83 Airtel sim cards, 76 Safaricom sim cards, an electric inverter, a HP laptop, and mobile handset were recovered.

In a statement released after his arrest, detectives said the suspect who is well traveled is believed to have been conducting espionage for a country in the west.

52-Yr-Old Archibald Kalela Mwandawiro; a suspect of Cyber Espionage was today arrested by @DCI_Kenya SSU detectives at Milondo in Wundanyi-Taita Taveta County, where devices used in the interception, access &transmission of messages to unauthorized recipients were also recovered. pic.twitter.com/JAnrrc9AB5

— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) October 18, 2020

He has been placed under lawful custody pending a conclusion of investigations and his arraignment in court.