The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has exposed shocking details about a notorious cybercrime ring that has left scores of Kenyans in financial ruin.
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How Victims Were Defrauded
Following the arrest of six suspects on June 4, 2025, new revelations show that the gang used social engineering tactics and spoofed numbers to empty bank accounts. Victims report waking up to zero balances after seemingly ordinary phone calls.
According to the DCI statement, one man from Nyahururu lost Ksh 3.4 million, while a woman lost Ksh 1.8 million overnight after a single call in March. Another incident in Nakuru saw an elderly woman lose Ksh 1.2 million under similar circumstances.
Targeting the Vulnerable: Retirees and Pensioners
The gang is believed to have focused on retirees and pensioners, striking days after retirement benefits were deposited. One such case involved a 63-year-old former Ministry of Lands employee who lost Ksh 2.3 million. Another victim, a Nakuru county employee, lost Ksh 1.6 million.
The Masterminds Behind the Scam
Two suspects have been identified as the leaders of the operation — Dominic Kipkoech Langat, alias Solobwek, and Fortune Muthina Kinyanzui. Investigators say Solobwek managed multiple mobile lines that transacted over a million shillings daily.
Kinyanzui allegedly charged fellow gang members daily fees for airtime and demanded a cut of up to Ksh 120,000 depending on the amount stolen. The DCI noted that Solobwek paid accomplices between 10% to 15% of the day’s total loot.
Ongoing Investigations
DCI detectives are expanding their probe to identify more victims and trace how stolen funds were distributed. Kenyans are urged to report any suspicious financial activity to the nearest police station or the DCI hotline.
Protect Yourself From Cyber Fraud
The DCI advises citizens to be vigilant and avoid sharing personal banking details over the phone. Always verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a customer service agent, and immediately report unfamiliar transactions to your bank.
For official updates and safety tips, visit the DCI Kenya website.
