Detectives have arrested 14 suspects in Nakuru over an alleged online bus ticket scam targeting unsuspecting travellers through fake booking websites.
The suspects were arrested by officers from the Banking Fraud Investigations Unit (BFIU) and Nakuru Police Station during a raid in Pangani area of Nakuru township.
Police said the suspects were found in a room where they were allegedly conducting online scamming operations.
Officers seized 25 mobile phones, 16 SIM card plates and 10 SIM cards, which investigators believe were being used in the alleged fraud.
According to detectives, the suspects had created fake websites purporting to offer bus ticket booking services through Zain Coach, Harmain Coach and Habesh Coach.
The websites allegedly attracted travellers looking for easy online bus ticket purchases, only for them to lose their money without receiving the services advertised.
“With the allure of easy online bus ticket purchases, many were left devastated, their hard-earned cash disappearing without a trace,” police said.
The 14 suspects are being held while they undergo processing ahead of arraignment.
The seized phones, SIM cards and SIM card plates have been secured as exhibits as investigations continue.
The arrests come as police intensify efforts to tackle technology-enabled fraud targeting members of the public through online platforms.
Authorities have urged travellers to verify online booking platforms before making payments, particularly when purchasing tickets from websites whose authenticity cannot be established.
Police have also asked members of the public to report suspected criminal activity and provide information that could assist ongoing investigations.
The National Police Service has encouraged members of the public to report anonymously through the DCI’s Fichua Kwa DCI platform.
Members of the public can also report suspected crime through the toll-free number 0800 722 203 or WhatsApp on 0709 570 000.
The suspects will now face the courts once investigations and processing are completed.