Police have identified and exposed a group of cybercriminals orchestrating a surge in WhatsApp-related fraud, urging the public to remain alert against their deceptive tactics.
According to Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke, numerous reports have been received about fraudsters hijacking WhatsApp accounts and exploiting them to scam unsuspecting individuals.
The identified suspects—Dr. Howell Kirui (+254735002953), Dominic Kosek (+254754033882), Ezra (+254787947086), and Kibet Kinandet (+254105218443)—allegedly employ a sophisticated method to compromise victims’ accounts.
They begin by blocking a user’s WhatsApp access and sending a verification code, tricking them into thinking they need to re-register. Under the guise of restoring access, the fraudsters demand money for the supposed registration process.
Further manipulating their victims, they claim that sending additional money will result in large sums being deposited into their MTN accounts via Safaricom.
Once they gain control of a WhatsApp account, they exploit it to message the victim’s contacts and groups, falsely stating that the victim has received millions of shillings.
“We urge victims to report these scams to the police and caution the public against falling for such fraudulent schemes,” ACP Rusoke stated. “It’s crucial to rely on official communication channels provided by service providers and never share verification codes with anyone.”
