Detectives from the Operation Support Unit (OSU) at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters have nabbed a suspected cunning SIM-swap fraudster who allegedly ruthlessly siphoned Sh450,500 from an unsuspecting victim, leaving her financial dreams in tatters.
According to the DCI, it all began back in January 2019 when the victim, chasing the bright lights of a job opportunity in the USA, jetted off, ready to make her mark.
To keep her Safaricom line alive for seamless M-Pesa transactions while abroad, she enrolled in Safaricom’s Daima programme, ensuring her line would remain active for two years, even without a network.
”The SIM functioned normally until May 24, 2024, when all cellular and M-Pesa services ceased. When she returned to Kenya in December 2024, she discovered that her SIM card had been swapped without her consent,” DCI said in a statement on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
Expecting a comfortable M-Pesa balance of about Ksh 450,500, she was hit with the cold slap of reality; her account now showed a measly balance of Ksh 18.
Investigations were launched, revealing a web of deceit whereby on October 15, 2024, Ksh 450,500 was transferred in two swift transactions to a number registered under the name of Oscar Livondo.
Detectives launched a manhunt that trailed Livondo to his hideout in Ngumba Estate, and subsequently arrested him.
“A swift search of his house revealed two mobile phones and six SIM card holders,” DCI said.
The suspect is now behind bars, undergoing processing pending his arraignment.
