Kenyan authorities have busted a suspected cybercrime syndicate operating in the Tayari area of Molo Sub-County, Nakuru County, marking a significant milestone in the fight against digital fraud.
In a statement released by the National Police Service (NPS) on Tuesday, officers confirmed the arrests of eight suspects following a targeted operation based on actionable intelligence from members of the public. The operation, which took place in a residential house linked to suspicious online activity, uncovered an array of incriminating materials believed to have been used in digital fraud schemes.
According to the police, the raid yielded hundreds of assorted SIM cards, multiple national identification cards belonging to different individuals, several mobile phones, and motor vehicle parts. All recovered items were secured as exhibits pending further investigations.
Two suspects managed to flee the scene, but a manhunt has been launched to apprehend them. Authorities suspect the group may be part of a wider network engaged in identity theft, SIM swapping, and electronic fraud targeting unsuspecting Kenyans.
“The National Police Service has successfully disrupted a fraud syndicate operating in the Tayari area of Molo Sub-County, Nakuru County, as part of its ongoing, intensified operations to combat all forms of crime,” the NPS said in a statement.
The police further reaffirmed their commitment to protecting citizens from technology-driven crimes, emphasizing that intelligence-led, multi-agency operations will continue nationwide.
This crackdown comes amid ongoing public debate surrounding the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, which critics argue could restrict freedom of expression. The High Court temporarily suspended its implementation on October 22, pending the determination of a petition challenging the law.
As investigations continue, the NPS has urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious cyber activity to help dismantle such criminal networks across the country.
