Police in Molo have arrested six individuals suspected of orchestrating a large-scale mobile phone fraud scheme targeting unsuspecting members of the public.
The suspects, detained on Wednesday, were found in possession of 2,464 national identity cards and over 3,000 SIM cards, which authorities say were likely used to commit mobile money scams and other fraudulent activities.
Officials suspect that the group may have defrauded hundreds, if not thousands, of people across the region.
Josphat Olechuta, Molo Deputy County Commissioner, confirmed the arrests and emphasized that investigations are ongoing to dismantle the broader network behind the alleged fraud.
“The suspects are currently being interrogated as we follow leads that may lead to further arrests,” Olechuta said.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects may have been using stolen identity information to register SIM cards and open mobile money accounts under false identities.
Authorities are also exploring whether the fraud operation extends beyond Molo to other counties, given the large volume of SIM cards and identity documents recovered.
Olechuta warned the public to exercise caution, advising people not to share their personal information, identity cards, or mobile money PINs with strangers.
He stressed that protecting personal data is crucial in preventing financial loss and combating the growing prevalence of mobile phone scams.
Police have urged anyone who suspects they may have been targeted or whose personal information may have been misused to report immediately to the nearest station.
“The fight against mobile fraud requires the cooperation of both law enforcement and the public,” Olechuta added.
This arrest comes amid a national rise in mobile money and identity-related fraud, which authorities say has become increasingly sophisticated, with scammers exploiting stolen data to defraud individuals across multiple platforms.
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