The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has exposed a group of six criminals who have been using a high-tech caller ID spoofing system to trick unsuspecting people over the phone.
These scammers, based in Mombasa, have managed to steal millions of shillings by making fake calls that look like they come from trusted institutions.
In an official statement, the DCI confirmed that the six suspects had been arrested after a well-coordinated security operation that led officers to their hideout in a rented Airbnb apartment in Nyali, Mombasa County.
“Six cybercrime suspects implicated in a series of serious fraud through spoofing to dupe their targets, whereafter they siphon millions of cash electronically, have been arrested in a security operation conducted in Nyali, Mombasa County,” the DCI reported.
According to the detectives, the criminals were using caller ID spoofing software that allowed them to pretend they were calling from legitimate customer care lines—like those from banks or telecom companies.
By altering the caller ID, they were able to hide their real identities and create fear or urgency in their targets. This made their victims panic and unknowingly give out private details, including bank or mobile money account information.
The stolen information was then used to transfer large sums of money to the fraudsters’ own accounts. In many cases, the callers pretended to be customer service agents offering urgent help, convincing the victims that their accounts were in danger or needed verification.
The DCI noted that the leader of the group, believed to be the main brain behind the operation, owns the actual spoofing software. Reports suggest he also rented it out to other notorious fraudsters, including the infamous “Mulot Swapper” gang, charging them a fee for its use.
Investigations revealed that the suspects paid as much as Ksh500,000 to purchase and set up the software. This included configuring the tool and securing an IP address, which allowed them to carry out their operations discreetly. The demand for this kind of software is reportedly very high in underground cybercrime circles.
Further details showed that the group had turned the Airbnb apartment into a base of operations where they conducted training and carried out the fraudulent activities. This was essentially their “office,” fully equipped for scamming operations.
When police raided the hideout, they recovered a number of items, including 19 different types of mobile phones, various SIM cards and SIM card holders, and a notebook believed to contain names and contacts of potential victims. Other tools and documents used in the fraud scheme were also seized.
The suspects were taken to Kahawa Law Courts on Tuesday, June 3, where they were formally charged. The court is expected to deliver a ruling on the matter tomorrow. Meanwhile, all six suspects are being held at the Capitol Hill Police Station as investigations continue.
This case is a reminder of how easily technology can be abused and highlights the importance of staying alert to phone call scams, even when the caller appears to be from a trusted source.
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