Police arrest prison constable, two others with over 10,000 Sim cards

A prison constable arrested in Bondo with 10,000 Sim cards. [Isaiah Gwengi, Standard]

Police have Thursday arrested three people who were found in possession with over 10,000 Sim cards, four mobile phones and a laptop.

The three are currently being held at the Bondo Police Station in Siaya.

According to DCI, among the arrested is prison constable Charles Opollo Ndaga, who is based at Prison Headquarters.

The warden was arrested for irregular Sim Swap and Sim Card registration.

"Over 10,000 Safaricom Sim Cards registered under different names, two Equitel Sim Cards and three ID Cards, a laptop, several mobile phones, a cheque book among other items were recovered in his house," police said.

According to the County Police boss Francis Kooli, the three were arrested following a tip off from the members of the public in Sinapanga, Bondo sub-county.

He said that they have already launched investigations to establish more suspects involved in the illegal business that involves the illegal swaping and registration of mobile phone sim cards.

Addressing the media at Bondo Police Station where the suspects are being held, Kooli said that one of the suspects is a prominent businessman in Bondo and an aspiring MP.

"We've already written to the Kenya Prisons Service Headquarters to confirm if the said suspect is still in service after it was alleged that he's a prison officer," said Kooli.

He added that the three are helping them with the leads and that they will only disclose the names of the suspects in their custody after getting more details.

"This requires in-depth investigations that will involve the Cyber Crime and Anti-Fraud units that will establish how long the crime has been going on and how many people have been affected," he added.

The suspects will be arraigned and charged accordingly.

According to the police boss, many people have lost money through such schemes.

"We are warning members of the public to be wary of such deals and in case there's anyone who is suspecting to have been credit without his/her knowledge should report to police," said Kooli.

He said that they have embarked on sensitization to members of the public against use of technology to commit crime.

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