A suspected SIM-swap fraudster targeting members of the public, particularly the elderly, under the guise of conducting SHA registration has been arrested following a joint intelligence-led operation by detectives from Kilifi South and Nyali.
The operation followed intelligence indicating that a woman and two men had been moving around Mwea, Machakos, Kitui, Mwingi and other areas, posing as government employees conducting Social Health Authority (SHA) registration and targeting unsuspecting members of the public.
The suspects would allegedly exploit the registration exercise to obtain victims’ personal details, swap their SIM cards and gain access to their mobile money and other digital wallets, from where they would transfer funds to accounts under their control.
Acting on intelligence, detectives laid an ambush at the Kwa Chief area of Mtwapa, where they arrested 37-year-old Phyllis Njagi.
At the time of her arrest, Njagi was driving a Mazda CX-5, registration number KDT 012M, which was detained for further examination. However, her suspected accomplice, John Mutesa Mango, managed to escape during the operation and remains at large.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of five insurance certificates bearing registration number KDT 012M, two duplicate insurance certificates for motor vehicle KDP 019N, three insurance certificates for motor vehicle KDS 150J, and two number-plate casings.
Detectives are now appealing to members of the public to help identify and trace Mango, whose photograph is displayed alongside that of his arrested accomplice, Phyllis Njagi.
