Mobile money fraud tops cases reported in first half of 2026

In a communiqué on Monday, mobile money was used as the payment method in 51 of 102 reported computer fraud cases reviewed between February and July 2026.

This was reported during the 36th meeting of the National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee (NC4), chaired by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.

Of the cases, mobile money fraud accounted for 19 cases (18.6%), investment and forex schemes followed with 16 cases (15.7%), while cryptocurrency schemes accounted for 12 cases (11.8%). 

Likewise, 23 cases contained explicit telecommunications or SIM-related indicators. 

The Ministry added that reported cases increased from May, as 70 were recorded until July with 27 cases. 

To heighten public vigilance and stronger action against mobile-enabled fraud, the Committee agreed on closer monitoring of high-risk mobile money transactions, faster evidence preservation and escalation channels with telecommunications providers as some of the easily accessible channels.

It also considered stronger intelligence on investment, forex and cryptocurrency schemes, quicker action against fake websites and impersonation accounts, and consistent classification of fraud data. 

The Ministry has also warned perpetrators against continuing the vice, asserting that fraud complaints will be probed in accordance with the law. 

Members of the public have been urged to never disclose personal identification numbers (PINs), passwords, one-time passwords (OTPs) or other authentication credentials.

They have also been urged to enable multifactor authentication where available, and should report suspicious phone numbers, accounts, websites and transactions to service providers, regulators and law enforcement agencies.