Police Arrest Main Suspect in Phone Hacking Syndicate

Police officers in Kisumu recovered an assortment of electronics during a raid on a suspected phone theft and hacking syndicate on Saturday, August 29.

According to the National Police Service (NPS), one suspect was arrested during the ambush in Kondele after detectives received a tip-off from an anonymous source.

The police officers recovered 32 mobile phones, three laptops and devices used to hack the post-paid phones.

"Officers from Kondele Police Station moved in after developing leads and gathering sufficient evidence linking the suspect to the syndicate. They mounted an operation within the Kondele area, culminating in his arrest.

"The operation yielded a significant haul of suspected stolen property, including 32 assorted mobile phones and various M-KOPA HMD batteries. Three laptops equipped with suspected hacking tools, along with external hard drives, were also recovered," the statement read.

The suspect was booked at Kondele Police Station awaiting processing before his presented in court to answer charges that will be preferred against him.

NPS acknowledged the suspect's arrest was as a result of the Service's new approach to tackling crime; turning information into decisive action and denying criminal networks any opportunity to operate with impunity.

It further expressed gratitude to members of the public for sharing information that led to the arrest, and encouraged Kenyans to collaborate with law enforcement to combat crime.

"The National Police Service thanks members of the public who continue to share vital information with law enforcement agencies and encourages the public to remain collaborative by volunteering timely information on any suspicious activities," the police stated.

The arrest comes amid concerns over the rise in the number of cases where phones being sold on higher-purchase are stolen and hacked to avoid tracing and recovery.

Elsewhere, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested four suspects and seized counterfeit bank notes worth Ksh4.3 million in Makueni County. 

 DCI said detectives first conducted an operation in Kambu Township, where they arrested two suspects found in possession of Ksh4 million in counterfeit Ksh1,000 notes. The suspects were identified as 57-year-old Sophia Adhiambo and 59-year-old Michael Gitau.