Detectives have arrested a man accused of orchestrating a cryptocurrency scam that cost a Kilifi woman Ksh3.9 million
In a statement on Thursday, November 27, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspect was tracked down after weeks of surveillance and will now be presented in court.
According to the DCI, the investigation began after detectives in Kilifi North launched a manhunt that eventually led them to Nakuru County, where the suspect was found.
"A notorious online cryptocurrency fraudster will today grace the court corridors after a meticulous manhunt launched by Kilifi North detectives, netted him at Kiamunyi area, Nakuru County," the statement read.
The DCI explained that the suspect, identified as Bavon Onyancha Masese and also known by the aliases Abdirahaman Abdikarim and Jamie Damon, was cornered after investigators established how the victim lost her money.
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"Bavon Onyancha Masese's (alias Abdirahaman Abdikarim, alias Jamie Damon) luck spectacularly ran out when investigators discovered he had swindled Ksh3.9 million from a Kilifi woman. This revelation immediately put him on the detectives' radar, with the seasoned gumshoes trailing the perpetrator, effectively halting his scamming streak," the statement added.
According to the DCI, deeper analysis of his operations linked him to a wider network of fraudulent cryptocurrency dealings.
"Further investigations linked Bavon to multiple digital transactions and unlawful cryptocurrency operations used to defraud victims across the country, leading to his prosecution at the Kilifi Law Courts," the statement further read.
As he appears in court, the DCI confirmed that he will be facing several serious charges relating to cyber-enabled financial crime.
"Bavon will be facing several indictments related to his dubious activities, including money laundering, unauthorised registration of SIM cards, obtaining money by false pretence, and conspiracy to defraud," the statement concluded.
Earlier in the year, detectives in Kilimani apprehended two individuals accused of orchestrating a cryptocurrency fraud scheme that saw a Chinese national lose Ksh6.5 million.
In a statement on Friday, February 28, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspects, Benson Macharia and Robinson Okwemo Nyandoro, posed as cryptocurrency exchange experts to swindle their victim.
"Kilimani hawkshaws have nabbed two cunning fraudsters who swindled a Chinese national Ksh6.5 million on February 20, 2025, at Rose Gardens in Kileleshwa.
"The duo, Benson Macharia and Robinson Okwemo Nyandoro masqueraded as cryptocurrency exchange experts, claiming that they were in a position to facilitate a cryptocurrency exchange," the statement read.
According to the DCI, during the transaction, Nyandoro allegedly made a swift exit with the victim’s cash, escaping through a backdoor with a carrier bag.
Meanwhile, Macharia remained behind, reassuring the unsuspecting victim that the conversion was underway but delayed due to network issues.
As minutes turned into hours, the reality of the scam set in, prompting the Chinese national to report the incident at Kileleshwa Police Station.
"While converting the cash into cryptocurrency, Nyandoro made a dramatic exit with the money in a carrier bag, slipping through a backdoor. Left behind, the bewildered victim was still in the grip of Macharia, who posed as a trustworthy technician.
"With an air of confidence, Macharia reassured the victim that everything was on track, claiming the transfer was successful and merely delayed due to pesky network issues. But as minutes turned into hours, the victim’s unease grew into full-blown panic. Realizing he had been duped, he rushed to Kileleshwa Police Station to report the crime," the statement added.
Upon receiving the report, detectives launched investigations, which led to the arrest of Macharia who was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kibera on February 25, where he pleaded not guilty.
He was released on a Ksh1 million bail with a surety of a similar amount.
Authorities continued their search for Nyandoro, who was later tracked down and arrested at the Hub Karen on February 27.
DCI said upon further interrogation, he led detectives to his residence at KMA Estate, Lang’ata, where Ksh500,000, believed to be part of the stolen cash, was recovered.
