A person of interest linked to a phone hacking and illegal device unlocking syndicate has been arrested in Homa Bay County following an intelligence-led operation by police officers in Oyugis Township.

The National Police Service (NPS), in a statement issued via X on Saturday, May 9, 2026, said the operation was conducted by officers from Oyugis Police Station after investigators received credible information connecting the said person of interest to a network involved in mobile phone theft, illegal unlocking of devices, and manipulation of mobile systems.

“The National Police Service continues to intensify its crackdown on criminal syndicates involved in mobile phone theft, illegal unlocking, and hacking activities that have increasingly affected businesses, especially mobile device financing companies,” the NPS stated.

“Police officers from Oyugis Police Station in Homa Bay County conducted a successful intelligence-led operation targeting a notorious phone theft and hacking syndicate operating within Oyugis Township.”

Crackdown on mobile phone crime

Police said the syndicate had increasingly targeted businesses, particularly companies involved in mobile device financing.

Investigators believe the suspects were using unauthorised flashing and hacking techniques to bypass payment systems installed on financed mobile devices, enabling stolen or locked phones to be reused or resold illegally.

“The operation followed the receipt of credible information and extensive investigations that linked the suspects to illegal activities involving the theft of mobile phones, unauthorised flashing and unlocking of devices, and manipulation of mobile systems with the intention of defrauding businesses by bypassing or disabling required payment systems,” the statement reads in part.

Items recovered during raid

During the operation, officers recovered several items believed to be linked to the illegal activities.

The recovered exhibits included twenty mobile phones suspected to have been stolen, one laptop allegedly equipped with flashing and hacking software, a CM2 Dongle commonly associated with device unlocking operations, and two external hard drives containing suspected hacking and flashing tools.

Police said the recovered items are expected to assist investigators in uncovering the full scope of the alleged syndicate’s operations.

“During the operation, the team recovered several items, including twenty mobile phones suspected to have been stolen, one laptop equipped with flashing and hacking tools, a CM2 Dongle, and two external hard drives also equipped with flashing and hacking tools, among other items,” the police stated.

Rising concern over digital device fraud

The case highlights growing concern over organised mobile phone theft and cyber-enabled fraud targeting both consumers and businesses in Kenya.

Illegal unlocking and manipulation of financed devices have become a major challenge for mobile lenders and phone retailers, leading to financial losses and increased security concerns.

The police have urged members of the public to continue cooperating with authorities by reporting suspicious activities related to cybercrime, theft, and illegal device operations.