Fake SHA officials arrested after swindling victim of Sh251,000

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has arrested a group of four con artists who allegedly posed as officials from the Social Health Authority (SHA).

The suspects were arrested after they successfully swindled a man out of Sh251,000 in a meticulously planned scheme of taking from the public.

According to the DCI report on Thursday, October 30, 2025, the suspects, identified as Peter Muriithi, Catherine Kinyua, Lilian Njeri, and Samuel Mbuthia, were apprehended following a complaint from a victim who believed he was completing a legitimate SHA membership registration.

“They were arrested following a complaint from a man who thought he was signing up for a legitimate SHA membership,” part of the report reads.

The victim reported that the fraudsters convinced him to hand over his mobile phone under the guise of "completing the registration process." Moments later, his phone was disconnected, and his attempts to restore service failed.

“In a slick move, the fraudsters convinced him to surrender his mobile phone under the pretext of “completing the registration process,” the report continues.

Sensing a problem, he rushed to his Sacco where he received the devastating news: his account had been completely drained.

A total of Sh251,000 had been siphoned out and transferred to mobile numbers later linked to the impostors.

Law enforcement officers in Marimanti launched a swift operation that led to the arrest of the four suspects. A subsequent search of the premises and their vehicle uncovered a significant cache of incriminating evidence.

“A meticulous search unearthed a trove of incriminating items, including SHA-branded T-shirts, name tags, membership cards, informational leaflets and multiple SIM cards,” Police stated.

Additionally, a Toyota Prado motor vehicle, registration KDP 267C, believed to have been used in their operations, was impounded. A separate number plate, KDS 399C, was also recovered, leading to further suspicion about the extent of their activities.

The four suspects are currently detained at Marimanti Police Station, undergoing processing and are expected to be arraigned in court soon.

Authorities have confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify any possible accomplices and other individuals who may have fallen victim to the gang’s deceitful tactics.

“Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing to unearth possible accomplices and other victims who may have fallen prey to the gang’s deceitful tactics,” part of the report read.