Kisii University Student Among Three suspects Arrested For Conning Kenyans using Fake Jumia Account
Suspects arrested for operating fake Jumia account /photo courtesy of DCI Kenya/
Three individuals believed to have obtained millions of shillings from unsuspecting Kenyans through a fake ‘Jumia Shopping’ page imitating the famous Jumia stores were arrested over the weekend following numerous complaints from the public.
The trio, Dickson Magembe, Dionicious Omonyi and Derrick Kodek were arrested in a swoop by detectives from DCI’s Crime research and Intelligence Bureau.
They through the fake Facebook page ran a promotion over the Christmas and New Year period claiming to offer discounts of up to 40% for various household goods, attracting numerous unsuspecting shoppers into their trap.
They also provided an MPESA Till number where cash deposits would be made before delivery of goods and upon successful payment, an invoice would be sent via WhatsApp promising free delivery within 24 hours. After these, clients were blocked and efforts to reach the seller remained futile.
A resident from Mukothima in Tharaka North sub-County a victim who reportedly fell for this trick, made a total payment of KSh. 95,000 for a 7-seater recliner seat and a coffee table.
A total of 22 SIM Cards used in the fraud were recovered from the first suspect – a third-year student at Kisii University pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
The suspect who was arrested in Canaan area of Kisii town led detectives to his two other accomplices in Ruiru, Kiambu County as the mastermind of the fraud claimed to be Swarzzenegar Otete, an Information Technology wizard, is currently on the run.
DCI urges Kenyans to be cautious while purchasing goods online and take time to ascertain the credibility of online shops purporting to offer certain services to avoid falling victim of online scams.
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