Kenyan security agencies have arrested three Nigerian nationals for alleged cyber fraud and immigration offences following reports of suspicious activity in a residential apartment in Mwea, Kirinyaga County.
The suspects — Peter Chukwujekwu, Alazor Chukulute Sunday, and Nnalue Chiagozie Samwel — were apprehended on 12 November 2025 during a joint operation carried out by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and immigration officers at Mwaliko Estate, Ngurubani.
According to a statement cited by Streamline, the DCI said:
“A well-coordinated multi-agency raid in Mwaliko Estate has blown the lid off a suspected cyber fraud ring operated by three Nigerian nationals.”
The operation was initiated after residents reported unusual movements and late-night activities in the apartment the men had rented.
During the raid, investigators recovered 21 mobile phones, 79 SIM cards, a Dell laptop, and several credit cards believed to be linked to online fraud schemes. Authorities say the items suggest the presence of a network potentially involved in identity theft and financial scams.
Preliminary checks also revealed that the suspects were in the country illegally, with expired entry passes and no valid work permits. Although they claimed to be running an “online business,” detectives are examining possible connections to broader international cybercrime syndicates.
“The three are currently cooling their heels in custody as investigators dig deeper into their network,” Streamline added.
The suspects remain detained as forensic experts analyse the seized devices and attempt to trace links to other criminal operations within Kenya and abroad.
Their arrest comes amid a sharp rise in cyber threats in the country. The Communications Authority of Kenya recorded 2.54 billion cyber incidents between January and March 2025 — a significant spike from the final quarter of 2024. Many Kenyans have recently fallen victim to phishing emails, spoofed websites, and fraudulent text messages.
Kenya has since strengthened its legal framework under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act of 2018 and its 2025 amendment, which impose penalties of up to KSh 20 million in fines and 10-year jail terms for major cyber offences.
