Two men have been arrested in Kisumu over an alleged mobile phone hacking and tampering racket after detectives raided a shop in the city centre and recovered several phones and electronic equipment.
The suspects, identified as John Odhiambo Oluoch and Samwel George Ouma, were arrested at a shop located within Tivoli Centre in Kisumu City’s Central Business District (CBD) during an intelligence-led operation.
The operation was conducted by detectives from Kisumu Central in collaboration with fraud investigators from Mogo Auto Ltd, according to reports on the investigation.
Phones found with motherboards removed
Detectives reportedly recovered an assortment of mobile phones, laptops, phone accessories and covers from the premises.
Among the items seized were phones whose motherboards had already been removed, alongside other equipment suspected to have been used to dismantle mobile devices and extract their internal components.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are allegedly linked to activities involving the hacking and alteration of stolen mobile phones, including the replacement of their motherboards.
The recovered items have since been secured as exhibits and are expected to undergo forensic examination.
Investigators will seek to establish the ownership of the devices, trace where they originated from and determine how they came into the suspects’ possession.
How motherboard replacement raises concern
Mobile phone motherboards contain important components that help identify and operate a handset.
Investigators therefore examine altered or dismantled devices as part of efforts to establish whether they have been tampered with and whether they are connected to reported thefts.
Similar investigations elsewhere in Kenya have involved authorities recovering phones and motherboards from premises allegedly linked to phone theft and hacking activities.
In Kisii, for example, detectives recently recovered more than 500 mobile phones and motherboards during a separate operation targeting an alleged phone theft and hacking racket.
Two suspects were arrested during that raid.
In another case in Kimilili, Bungoma County, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations reported the recovery of dozens of phones and tools allegedly used to alter devices, including equipment investigators said could be used to manipulate identifying information on phones.
The separate cases illustrate the growing attention by investigators on networks suspected of handling stolen or compromised mobile devices.
Investigation continues
The Kisumu suspects remain in police custody as detectives process the case ahead of their expected arraignment in court.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the total number or value of devices recovered from the Tivoli Centre premises, nor have investigators established publicly whether all the phones were stolen.
The forensic examination is expected to provide more information on the devices, including their ownership and possible links to reported cases of theft.
Investigators are also expected to establish whether the two suspects were operating alone or whether other individuals could be connected to the alleged racket.
The latest arrests come as Kenyan authorities continue using intelligence-led operations to target networks suspected of stealing, modifying and unlawfully handling mobile phones.
In August, police in Kisumu arrested another suspect in a separate operation in Kondele, where 32 mobile phones, three laptops and other equipment were reportedly recovered.
The authorities have continued urging members of the public to report information that could help investigators trace criminal networks involved in phone theft and related offences.
For now, the allegations against Oluoch and Ouma remain under investigation, and the two suspects are presumed innocent unless and until a court determines otherwise.
FOLLOW NAIROBI NEWS ON FACEBOOK
If you like our work, you can buy us a soda
Buy us a soda 🥤
