By John Mutiso
Detectives have arrested a man accused of orchestrating a cryptocurrency scam that cost a Kilifi woman Ksh3.9 millionÂ
In a statement on Thursday, November 27, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspect was tracked down after weeks of surveillance and will now be presented in court.
According to the DCI, the investigation began after detectives in Kilifi North launched a manhunt that eventually led them to Nakuru County, where the suspect was found.
“A notorious online cryptocurrency fraudster will today grace the court corridors after a meticulous manhunt launched by Kilifi North detectives, netted him at Kiamunyi area, Nakuru County,” the statement read.
The DCI explained that the suspect, identified as Bavon Onyancha Masese and also known by the aliases Abdirahaman Abdikarim and Jamie Damon, was cornered after investigators established how the victim lost her money.
“Bavon Onyancha Masese’s (alias Abdirahaman Abdikarim, alias Jamie Damon) luck spectacularly ran out when investigators discovered he had swindled Ksh3.9 million from a Kilifi woman. This revelation immediately put him on the detectives’ radar, with the seasoned gumshoes trailing the perpetrator, effectively halting his scamming streak,” the statement added.
According to the DCI, deeper analysis of his operations linked him to a wider network of fraudulent cryptocurrency dealings.
“Further investigations linked Bavon to multiple digital transactions and unlawful cryptocurrency operations used to defraud victims across the country, leading to his prosecution at the Kilifi Law Courts,” the statement further read.
As he appears in court, the DCI confirmed that he will be facing several serious charges relating to cyber-enabled financial crime.
“Bavon will be facing several indictments related to his dubious activities, including money laundering, unauthorised registration of SIM cards, obtaining money by false pretence, and conspiracy to defraud,” the statement concluded.
