DCI Arrests 14 in Nakuru Over Fake Online Bus Ticket Scam

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has apprehended 14 individuals involved in a sophisticated website cloning scam targeting bus travellers in Nakuru. The suspects allegedly created counterfeit websites mimicking legitimate bus operators to swindle customers purchasing non-existent tickets.

Law enforcement officers from Nakuru Police Station, collaborating with the DCI's Banking Fraud Investigations Unit (BFIU), conducted the operation. Investigations revealed the fake platforms impersonated well-known bus companies including Zain Coach, Harmain Coach, and Habesh Coach, primarily servicing routes in Northeastern Kenya.

According to the DCI, the scammers operated from a residence in Nakuru’s Pangani area. Authorities confiscated 25 mobile phones, 16 SIM card plates, and 10 SIM cards believed to be tools for executing the fraud.

In an official statement, the DCI highlighted the financial damage caused to victims drawn in by the convenience of online ticket purchases, only to lose their money to these fraudulent schemes. The suspects are currently detained and await court arraignment as investigations proceed.

Website cloning and phishing remain persistent cyber threats in Kenya, with the transport sector increasingly targeted due to the growing shift to digital ticketing platforms. Earlier this year, budget airline Jambojet also reported similar fraudulent activities involving fake booking sites and impersonation across various social media and communication channels.