How 3 men stole millions from Kenyans by operating a fake Jumia Facebook account

According to a report by the DCI on Monday, Dickson Magembe, Dionicious Omonyi and Derrick Kodek were found to have operated a fictitious Facebook account purporting to be the popular Jumia Shopping store.

After a bunch of complaints made to the investigative branch by members of the public, DCI launched a probe on the matter and discovered that the trio had discovered an ingenious way of attracting online shoppers to their fake page by offering high-price discounts over the festive period.

"Through a fake Facebook page ‘Jumia Shopping’ the three ran a promotion over the Christmas & New Year period offering discounts of up to 40% for various household goods, attracting unsuspecting shoppers in droves," wrote DCI on Twitter.

Preliminary investigations also revealed that the three had introduced an M-Pesa till number where customers would make payments and then receive an invoice through WhatsApp promising a free delivery within 24 hours. 

A victim of the fraud syndicate told DCI that the phone numbers attached to the fake pages would then go off after payment was completed.

"This happened to a victim in Mukothima, Tharaka North Sub County, who made a payment of Sh95,000 for a 7 seater recliner seat and a coffee table," said DCI. 

"This is after an offer was made on the fake Facebook page announcing a 40% discount on recliner seats and other household items. Tens of other Kenyans who found the deals too good to think twice fell for the trap hook line and sinker, after hurriedly making orders before getting thoroughly disappointed later."

The first suspect, a third-year student at Kisii University, was arrested in Kisii on Sunday where 22 sim cards believed to have been used in the fraudulent business were recovered.

"The suspect was arrested in Canaan area of Kisii town and later led detectives to his two other accomplices in Ruiru, Kiambu county," DCI said.

Police believe that the trio obtained millions of shillings during the period they operated.

Meanwhile, a manhunt has been launched for the suspected leader of the group who is still at large.

"The mastermind of the fraud identified as Swarzzenegar Otete, an Information Technology wizard is currently on the run with sleuths breathing down his neck before finally arresting him."