Two suspects believed to be part of a mobile phone hacking racket have been arrested in Kisumu after detectives recovered several mobile phones and equipment suspected to have been used to tamper with stolen devices.
The suspects, identified as John Odhiambo Oluoch and Samwel George Ouma, were arrested at a shop within Tivoli Centre in Kisumu City’s central business district (CBD).
The operation was conducted by detectives from Kisumu Central in collaboration with fraud investigators from Mogo Auto Ltd, following intelligence on the suspected activities, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said.
“Acting on intelligence, the detectives descended on the premises,” the DCI said.
Among the items recovered were mobile phones, laptops, phone accessories and covers. Detectives also found phones with their motherboards removed, as well as other equipment suspected to have been used to dismantle devices and extract their motherboards.
Suspects linked to phone hacking
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are allegedly involved in hacking stolen mobile phones and replacing their motherboards, according to the DCI.
The agency said the recovered items have been secured and will undergo forensic analysis as investigations continue.
The examination is expected to help detectives establish the ownership of the recovered devices, trace their origins and determine the circumstances under which they came into the suspects’ possession.
The findings could form part of the evidence investigators use as they establish the extent of the suspected mobile phone racket.
Forensic analysis underway
The DCI has not disclosed the number of mobile phones recovered or identified their owners, saying the items will first undergo forensic examination.
The agency also did not provide further details on how long the alleged racket had been operating or whether additional suspects had been identified.
The two suspects remain in police custody undergoing processing pending arraignment, while detectives continue investigating the suspected racket.
The arrests and recovery form part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged handling and modification of stolen mobile devices in Kisumu.
The suspects have not been convicted of any offence, and the allegations against them remain subject to the outcome of investigations and any subsequent court proceedings.
