Mobile Money Fraud Accounts for Half of Kenya’s Reported Cybercrime Cases
Mobile money fraud leads Kenya’s cybercrime reports, making up half of 102 cases between February and July 2026, with a sharp rise in incidents by July.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 25, 2026
2 min read
Mobile money fraud has become the most common form of computer-related crime in Kenya, featuring in 51 of 102 cases reported from February to July 2026. This represents half of all the cybercrime incidents documented during this period.
The breakdown of fraud types reveals mobile money scams topping the list with 19 cases. Investment and forex scams followed closely with 16 cases, while cryptocurrency-related fraud accounted for 12 cases. Additionally, 23 incidents involved telecommunications or SIM card-related fraud.
Rising Cybercrime Trends
The number of reported fraud cases surged in the latter months of the review, with 70 cases recorded between May and July 2026. July alone saw the highest monthly total of 27 cases, highlighting an escalating threat posed by digital financial crimes.
Government Response
In reaction to the growing menace, the Kenyan government has intensified efforts to monitor high-risk transactions and speed up the preservation of digital evidence. Crackdowns on fraudulent websites and impersonation accounts have also been stepped up.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Computer Incident Response Team Coordination Centre (KE-CIRT/CC) reported 2.3 billion cyber events during the same period, marking a 30% decrease from the previous quarter despite the rise in fraud cases.
