Detectives have arrested a woman suspected of using fake Social Health Authority (SHA) registration exercises to obtain personal details from members of the public and carry out SIM-swap fraud.
The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Phyllis Njagi, was arrested during an intelligence-led operation by detectives from Kilifi South and Nyali.
According to detectives, the suspects had been moving around different parts of the country, including Mwea, Machakos, Kitui and Mwingi, posing as government officials carrying out SHA registration.
The operation was launched after detectives received information that a woman and two men were allegedly using the fake registration exercise to target unsuspecting members of the public, particularly elderly people.
Suspects allegedly targeted mobile money accounts
Detectives said the suspects would use the registration exercise to collect personal information from their victims.
The information would then allegedly be used to swap the victims’ SIM cards and gain access to their mobile money accounts and other digital wallets.
Funds would subsequently be transferred to accounts believed to be controlled by the suspects.
Acting on the intelligence, detectives laid an ambush in the Kwa Chief area of Mtwapa, where they arrested Njagi.
At the time of her arrest, she was driving a Mazda CX-5, registration number KDT 012M.
The vehicle was detained as detectives continued with investigations.
However, a suspected accomplice identified as John Mutesa Mango managed to escape during the operation and remains at large.
Detectives recover documents from vehicle
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of several insurance documents and number-plate casings.
Detectives recovered five insurance certificates bearing registration number KDT 012M, two duplicate insurance certificates for motor vehicle KDP 019N and three insurance certificates for motor vehicle KDS 150J.
Two number-plate casings were also recovered from the vehicle.
Police are now searching for Mango and have appealed to members of the public to help trace him.
Anyone who may have information about his whereabouts, or believes they may have been a victim of the suspected fraud, has been urged to report to the nearest police station or contact the Directorate of Criminal Investigations through #FichuaKwaDCI.
Members of the public can also report through the toll-free number 0800 722 203 or WhatsApp 0709 570 000.
Detectives have meanwhile warned the public to be careful when approached by people claiming to conduct government registration exercises.
The public has been advised not to hand over mobile phones, SIM cards, PINs, passwords, one-time passwords (OTPs) or other sensitive information to strangers.
