In a major breakthrough against SIM card fraud, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested Daniel Wangombe Ndungu, suspected to be the mastermind behind a spate of phone impersonation and fraudulent SIM card registration activities.

Acting on a tip-off, DCI detectives from both the headquarters and Nairobi Region executed an operation in the Membely area, Ruiru, Kiambu county apprehending Ndungu while he was driving a Nissan Saloon.

During a search of the vehicle, officers recovered a trove of evidence, including six Safaricom SIM cards, seven Airtel SIM cards, two Telkom SIM cards, and several mobile phones.

“Following on tips, the detectives executed an operation in the Ruiru Membely area, successfully intercepting the suspect who was behind the wheel of a motor vehicle KBP 731D Nissan Saloon. Upon searching the vehicle, the detectives recovered 6 Safaricom SIM cards, 7 Airtel SIM cards, 2 Telkom SIM cards, and assorted mobile phones,” the DCI announced in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday, October 18, 2024.

The suspect has been taken to DCI Headquarters’ Serious Crime Unit for processing, pending arraignment.

Nakuru

In another crackdown, a separate team of detectives apprehended three individuals linked to a scam that involved fraudulently posing as employees of Simba Cement.

According to police, the scammers lured victims by offering cement at suspiciously low prices, tricking unsuspecting customers into falling for the scheme.

“Assorted SIM cards, a desktop computer, and six mobile phones were recovered from the suspects; Kelvin Kiplangat, Cyprian Bowen, and Betty Cherop Kosgei, who have been operating from Baruti in Nakuru County,” the DCI said.

Makueni

In a separate incident, two men were arrested in Masimba, Makueni County, for defrauding unemployed teachers by posing as high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Education.

One of the suspects, Moses Murungi George, had a criminal past that dates back to 2,000 when he was convicted of murder by the Meru High Court and sentenced to life imprisonment.

His fate changed in 2018 when the Court of Appeal ordered his release.

His accomplice, Joseph Baariu Imiemba, was also previously convicted of robbery with violence in 2002 and sentenced to death. However, like Murungi, he was freed in 2019 after successfully appealing his sentence.

“Six mobile phones paired with Airtel and Safaricom SIM cards were recovered from the suspects, where it was further established that the mobile phone numbers were the same ones used in committing the said crimes. A motor vehicle, registration number KCW 435*, was also recovered from the duo,” the DCI said.

Investigations are ongoing to determine if additional accomplices are involved, as all five suspects await legal proceedings.

The operation represents a significant step in the fight against rising cases of fraud across the country.