Police in Homa Bay have arrested a suspected mastermind linked to an alleged mobile phone theft and hacking syndicate following a major intelligence-led operation in Oyugis Township.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, officers from Oyugis Police Station launched the operation after weeks of investigations into a network suspected of stealing phones, illegally unlocking devices, and tampering with payment systems tied to mobile phone financing companies.
Investigators say the syndicate had been targeting financed smartphones by allegedly bypassing security and payment restrictions through illegal software flashing and hacking techniques.
Authorities believe the activities were causing heavy losses to businesses in the mobile device financing sector.
During the raid, detectives recovered 20 mobile phones believed to have been stolen, alongside sophisticated electronic equipment allegedly used in the illegal operations.
Among the items seized were a laptop loaded with flashing and hacking software, a CM2 Dongle commonly associated with mobile device unlocking, and two external hard drives said to contain additional hacking tools.
Police described the arrested suspect as a major figure in the operation.
The individual remains in custody as detectives continue with investigations ahead of a planned court arraignment.
The crackdown comes amid growing concern over the rise in smartphone theft and cyber-related device tampering across the country.
Authorities say criminal groups are increasingly using advanced software tools to unlock stolen phones and disable tracking or payment systems, making it difficult for owners and financing companies to recover devices.
The National Police Service has urged Kenyans to continue cooperating with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities and individuals involved in cybercrime, mobile phone theft, or illegal device unlocking.
FOLLOW NAIROBI NEWS ON FACEBOOK
