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Two Kenyatta University students suspected to be behind the multi-million shilling cybercrime syndicate involving the hacking of financial accounts were arrested in Nakuru yesterday.

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the gang, which has been on their radar, arrived in Nakuru a few weeks ago and had been operating in the upmarket Milimani estate in the county.  

Rift Valley Region Criminal Investigations Officer (RCIO) Mwenda Meme, while confirming the arrest of two suspected hackers, said three others managed to escape their dragnet. 

The two students, Francis Maina Alias Nick, 26, and Zellic Alusa, 25, are suspected to be the brains behind the hacking of financial institutions including banks.  

“We received intelligence reports that the group was in Nakuru and had set up their base of operation in the affluent Milimani estate, we strategised and swung into action arresting the two,” he said.

Meme revealed that the gang of five had devised ways to escape police dragnet by changing houses every three days.

Detectives revealed that they received crucial information from members of the public leading to the arrest of the suspects.

Track them

“We managed to track them, though it has taken us two weeks, the suspects will give us crucial leads which may lead to the arrest of more of their group members, we are in hot pursuit of the three,” said Meme.  

He said upon interrogation, they unearthed a complex criminal network that has been operating in the country and abroad.  

According to Meme, the gang which is said to have minted millions of shillings in their criminal activities was creating fake email accounts which they use to hack credit cards of innocent persons.  

“Most of their victims are those living in foreign countries and they use the cash to buy bitcoins that are then converted to Kenyan currency,” said Meme.  

He noted that the gang had been using the illicit money to live lavishly and buy properties after scamming Kenyans.