Fraud ring leaves pharmacist devastated after losing Sh13.9 million in SIM-swap scam

In a meticulously planned fraud that lasted mere minutes, a hardworking medical practitioner lost over Sh13.9 million after innocently sending Sh200 via M-Pesa to what he believed was a client’s wife.  

Unbeknownst to him, he had just walked into a carefully laid trap set by a criminal syndicate which betrayed him leading to the loss of his fortunes in the shattering trust toward customers he had served diligently. 

Elijah Kyalo Kaingi, alias “Papa Mfalme,” became the ninth suspect to be arrested in connection with the scheme. His eight accomplices had already taken pleas before the Makadara Chief Magistrate’s Court. 

Daniel Njoroge Kimani was arrested three days earlier, while Brian Opondo Nandi, Ken Mumo Mwangi, Rose Muthio Musembi, Mary Nduku Joanes, Mercy Ngina Musembi, Edwin Murunga Omuse and Kennedy Mumo Mwangi were apprehended on various dates between June 24 and September 1, 2025. 

Like the others, Kyalo faces multiple charges, including fraud, stealing and participation in organised criminal activity.  

Prosecutors allege that on May 22, 2025, at Bongo Pharmaceuticals in Mukuru Kayaba slums, Industrial Area, within Nairobi’s Makadara Sub-County, the group conspired to defraud pharmacist Kefa Manduku of Sh13,991,430. 

According to court documents, a male suspect (still at large) entered the pharmacy accompanied by Rose Muthio Musembi. They purchased calpol and cough syrup for a baby before the man requested Manduku to send Sh200 to his “wife,” claiming she needed urgent typhoid testing and medication.  

It is suspected that during this transaction, the suspect discreetly obtained Manduku’s M-Pesa PIN.

Shortly afterward, two women, including Rose returned to the pharmacy, saying the man had sent them and that their phones were off. 

They asked to use Manduku’s phone to call him. Trusting the customers, the pharmacist handed over his device while he attended to other clients.

In a swift sleight-of-hand, the women allegedly swapped Manduku’s SIM card with one belonging to an unknown individual, later identified as Teresa Ongeri. 

They returned the phone without raising suspicion. Hours later, when Manduku tried to process a payment from a supplier through his M-Pesa till, the transaction failed. A call to Safaricom customer care revealed the devastating truth: his line had been swapped and his account had been drained of Sh13,991,430.

The money was reportedly transferred to multiple fraudulently registered numbers. Police later used cell-site triangulation to place all the accused at the scene of the crime.

Investigators recovered significant assets believed to be proceeds of the fraud. On May 21, 2026 nearly a year after the incident Kyalo was found in possession of a black Mazda Atenza (registration KDT 413S) at Nazra Estate in Soweto, Nairobi. 

Similarly, Rose was arrested on June 5, 2025, in Matuu with a silver Toyota Fielder (KDS 249W) Omuse was found with 1,950 SIM cards and two mobile devices suspected to have been used in fraudulent activities.

Kyalo denied the charges when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Kennedy Bidali. He was released on a bond of Sh500,000 or a cash bail of Sh300,000. The matter will be mentioned on June 30.