Detectives in Nairobi in the weekend arrested three suspects for reportedly obtaining money from unsuspecting Kenyans through fake online platforms claiming to sell goods.

Detectives from DCI’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau nabbed Dickson Magembe, Dionicious Omonyi and Derrick Kodek after receiving complaints from Facebook and Twitter.

The three suspects are alleged to have obtained millions of shillings from unsuspecting shoppers by operating the fake e-commerce accounts imitating Jumia Kenya online shops.

Through a fake “Jumia Shopping” Facebook page, they ran promotions during the Christmas holiday period offering big discounts on household goods to attract unsuspecting shoppers.

The trio are said to have provided an M-Pesa Till Number where cash deposits were to be made before goods are delivered and an invoice sent to the buyers through WhatsApp.

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The unsuspecting buyers would then be promised free delivery within 24 hours but would thereafter, unfortunately, be blocked by the purported seller as the communication ends.

Among the tens of fraud victims is a man from Tharaka Nithi, who paid Sh95,000 for a 7-seater recliner seat and a coffee table on a 40 per cent discount that proved to be hot air.


DCI detectives recovered 22 SIM cards from the first suspect, Dickson Magembe, a third year student at Kisii University pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

He was apprehended at Canaan area of Kisii town before he led DCI detectives to his two accomplices who resided in Ruiru, Kiambu county.

However, Schwarzenegger Otete, who is said to be the mastermind of the fraudulent online shopping activities and is an IT wizard, remains on the run with detectives hot on his heels.

DCI has warned members of the public to practice caution before buying goods on online platforms and establish the credibility of online shops claiming to offer certain services.