Police Bust Mobile Phone Hacking Syndicate in Eldoret as Crackdown on Tech-Driven Fraud Intensifies
Earlier, in October 2023, an intelligence-led operation in Eldoret resulted in the arrest of 11 suspects and the recovery of 156 mobile phones, 41 laptops, and 45 TVs.
The two suspects appear before a display of 28 recovered mobile phones and sophisticated electronic equipment, allegedly used in a mobile phone hacking and flashing operation in Eldoret
In a coordinated operation prompted by a public tip-off, officers from the National Police Service (NPS) in Eldoret, in collaboration with M-KOPA’s liaison personnel, Thursday apprehended two suspects linked to a sophisticated mobile phone hacking and resale syndicate operating within Eldoret Town, Uasin Gishu County.
The raid targeted a phone repair shop near the Eldoret Shuttle booking office, where the suspects were caught in the act of flashing 28 assorted mobile phones, including several M-KOPA devices. Authorities believe these individuals are part of a broader network involved in the illegal flashing of stolen and credit-bound phones to evade payment obligations.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of high-end electronic equipment, including two HP laptops, two CPUs, seven hard drives, one Pandora Box, one dongle, and one JTAG device. These tools are capable of altering IMEI numbers, reprogramming phones, and bypassing security features, effectively rendering stolen or credit-bound devices untraceable.
The suspects are currently detained at Eldoret Police Station pending forensic analysis and further investigation.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of mobile phone-related crimes in Kenya. In December 2024, reports highlighted a surge in phone flashing fraud across towns like Kitale, Eldoret, Kisii, and Nairobi, with companies losing millions to these syndicates.
In April 2025, detectives in Naivasha arrested a notorious phone thief caught flashing stolen devices. The operation led to the recovery of 27 stolen phones, a laptop, and a mobile flashing kit.
Earlier, in October 2023, an intelligence-led operation in Eldoret resulted in the arrest of 11 suspects and the recovery of 156 mobile phones, 41 laptops, and 45 TVs. The suspects were allegedly handling stolen electronic goods without proper documentation.
The National Police Service has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to mobile phone fraud.
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