The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kenya made a significant bust in a case of financial fraud. Through their partnership with Safaricom Care, a customer service platform for the popular mobile money transfer service Mpesa, the DCI was able to apprehend an individual who had received 84,000 Kenyan shillings ($770) erroneously sent to their phone number.
According to one Amos Kibaru, he sent the money to the individual identified as Magdalene Wairimu by mistake, the woman allegedly wasted no time in transferring a large portion of the funds to a second line and sending money to her mother and purchasing Kenya Power tokens. However, the individual’s actions didn’t stop there. After reportedly dumping the first line, the individual continued to use the second line to send an additional 43,000 Kenyan shillings ($394) to a “fundi,” or skilled worker.
Update #Thread@DCI_Kenya through @Safaricom_Care was able to apprehend the individual who received my 84k erroneously sent to her number 18th Oct
Digital footprint 👣 shows within minutes of receiving the money she transferred 50k to her 2nd line,sent the mom 20k &bought token pic.twitter.com/Vo9eEW98kx— Amos Kibaru 🇰🇪 (@akibaru) December 30, 2022
Amos in a tweet says the DCI was able to track the individual’s actions through their digital footprint and bring them to justice for their fraudulent activity. In a statement, the DCI reminded the public that utilizing funds that are not one’s own on Mpesa is considered stealing under the law.
This case serves as a reminder to always be cautious when it comes to financial transactions, especially online. It’s important to double-check the recipient’s information before sending any funds to ensure that they are going to the intended person. It’s also a good idea to regularly check your account statements and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.
Overall, the quick action taken by the DCI and Safaricom Care, in this case, serves as a testament to the ability of the Kenyan legal system, albeit only working once in a blue moon. It’s reassuring to see that those who attempt to engage in fraudulent activity can be held accountable for their actions through the use of technology and digital tracking.
