Three men operating fake social media accounts imitating popular e-commerce platforms, Jumia, have been arrested.
The three were arrested by detectives drawn from the Elite Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau over the weekend.
The arrest followed repeated complaints from members of the public who had been scammed using the social media accounts in question.
For instance, through the page, Jumia Shopping, the three ran promotions during the festive season offering up to 40 percent discounts for various household goods.
They would then provide an M-Pesa till number where payments would be made shortly before they block the victim.
“That would mark the end of the correspondence as the eager clients would be blocked henceforth, leaving them disappointed and with heavy loses to bear,” DCI wrote on Twitter.
Some 22 sim cards were recovered from the first suspect who happens to be a third year student at Kisii University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
“The suspect was arrested in Canaan area of Kisii town and later led detectives to his two other accomplices in Ruiru, Kiambu county,” DCI added.
The mastermind of the fraud identified as Swarzzenegar Otete, an Information Technology wizard is currently on the run.
CONS OPERATING FAKE JUMIA ACCOUNTS ARRESTED
Three notorious thugs were arrested over the weekend for obtaining money from unsuspecting members of the public, by operating fictitious online platforms purporting to sell goods. pic.twitter.com/Yhv4rgSQ80
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) January 16, 2023
