The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested a suspected mastermind of a fraud circle, which robs unsuspecting Kenyans of their bank deposits through ATM machines.
Robert Mwaura Mwita reportedly runs a theft ring that includes bank ATM guards, who withdraw money from the machines using codes generated by Mwita.
“Upon withdrawing the money conned from unsuspecting members of the public, the said guards have been taking their agreed upon portion and sending the rest to Mwaura,” the DCI said while sharing the video evidence.
In the video, a security guard belonging to Radar Security Services is seen punching a code that he is reading from his mobile phone and shortly after, the Family Bank ATM machine discharges Ksh5000 and a receipt.
Mr. Robert Mwaura Mwita- a suspect linked to various cases of MPESA FRAUD in which members of the public have been defrauded MILLIONS of shillings was arrested yesterday by DCI Detectives after an assiduous operation. The suspect has been working in cahoot with security guards manning various ATMs whom he had recruited to withdraw money after sending them withdrawal secret codes. Upon withdrawing the money conned from unsuspecting members of the public, the said guards have been taking their agreed upon portion & sending the rest to Mwaura, the prime suspect. DCI Detectives- through intelligence- were able to NAB one of the suspects’ in the act (as shown in the videos) & later the prime suspect. Further investigations showed that the two guards; Stanley Nyakundi & Godfrey Masinde Simiyu had in the month of September alone, sent over Ksh. 2.2 Million to the prime suspect(Robert Mwaura Mwita). The suspects are in lawful custody and will be arraigned on Tuesday to answer to appropriate charges.
Posted by Directorate of Criminal Investigations – DCI on Sunday, 20 October 2019
In the background, his accomplice inquires whether the transaction has been successful and advises him to pull out the receipt.
The DCI has identified the two guards in the video as Stanley Nyakundi and Godfrey Masinde Simiyu.
According to the DCI,the two had sent over Ksh2.2 million to Mwaura in the month of September alone.
In the recent past, bank clients have complained of unexplained movement of funds from their accounts, with suspicion that those with large amounts of money in their accounts do not even notice the theft of small amounts such as the one shown in the video.
It is believed that bank employees are also involved in the fraud schemes, since they have access to confidential client information.
With technological advancements, individuals are now able to link their bank accounts and M-pesa accounts.
Mpesa users and bank clients are advised not to share their secret PIN or other codes linked to their accounts with anyone, especially individuals who call purporting to be bank or Safaricom employees.