Wanted: DCI pursuing two suspects over bank fraud

Wanted suspects, Gerald Gatheru Mwai  (L) and Gladys Mwara Kamau (R). [Courtesy, DCI]

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is seeking information on two suspects wanted for crimes of bank fraud.

DCI on Wednesday said it is pursuing Gerald Gatheru Mwai and Gladys Mwara Kamau, following a warrant of arrest issued by a Nairobi court last month.

Members of the public with know-how are encouraged to report to the nearest police station.

“Any person with information that may lead to their arrest to contact DCI Headquarters-ECCU section, the nearest Police station, call or SMS 0773004776,” DCI said.

Cases of bank fraud and cybercrimes are not new as criminals become cannier by the day.

A report released in August 2020 identified Kenya being among countries where transnational criminal organisations operate.

Last October, DCI officers arrested three people among them a prison constable- Charles Opollo Ndaga. They were found in possession of over 10,000 Sim Cards, four mobile phones and a laptop.

In the same month, two Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) students were charged at the Milimani Law Courts for stealing Sh25 million from NCBA Bank. They were also accused of attempting to steal an additional Sh190.7 million from the same bank.

The two were released on a Sh500, 000 cash bail each.

So expansive is the syndicate who even operate outside the country. 

Last year in November, four of eight Kenyans were detained in Rwanda over an attempt to hack a bank and steal more than Sh100 million.

A report from the Rwanda Investigations Bureau said the suspects are usually tech-savvy and seek to exploit weak points within the bank systems to steal money.

Statistics from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Banking Fraud Unit (DBFU) also revealed that many of the suspects involved in such cases of electronic fraud are well-educated university graduates with an IT background.

They work in cahoots with bank staff who provide them with crucial information about IP addresses.