Kenyan Authorities Arrest Three Nigerians in Cyber Fraud Crackdown in Mwea Town
Kenyan Authorities Arrest Three Nigerians in Cyber Fraud Crackdown in Mwea Town
At least three Nigerians have been detained in Mwaliko Estate, Mwea Town, Kenya, on suspicion of involvement in cyber fraud.
According to a report by Tuko News, a Kenyan digital news outlet, the suspects were arrested by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Wednesday.
The individuals identified as Peter Chukwujekwu, Alazor Chukulute Sunday, and Nnalue Chiagozie Samwe were reportedly found out after residents raised concerns about suspicious late-night activities in their apartment.
The DCI confirmed that the arrests took place during “a multi-agency raid targeting a cyber fraud ring” operating in the area. A DCI spokesperson stated, “Three Nigerian nationals were nabbed in Kirinyaga during a coordinated multi-agency operation in Mwaliko Estate, Mwea town, revealing a suspected cyber fraud syndicate run by Nigerians.”
The suspects claimed they were operating an online business but were found to be residing illegally in Kenya without valid work permits.
This arrest is part of a wider pattern of Nigerians being detained abroad for various crimes, including cyber fraud, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. Notably, in June 2023, Kenyan authorities arrested 19 Nigerians in Nairobi for electronic scams targeting Kenyans.
The DCI explained that the fraudsters, aged between 19 and 33, used social media platforms to initiate their scams. They would pretend to offer goods for delivery from abroad, convincing victims to accept friend requests on Facebook, then engaging them in friendly chats promising goods sent via DHL from the airport.
