A man has been arrested after allegedly refusing to return Ksh43,320 that was mistakenly sent to his mobile money account by a businessman who intended to pay his supplier.
In an account shared by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the incident occurred last Thursday when the businessman, identified only as Zack, attempted to transfer the money to settle an urgent delivery.
However, a mistake in the recipient’s phone number reportedly caused the funds to land in an account belonging to a man identified as Biggie, who is said to be known around his neighbourhood as a self-declared hustler.
According to the DCI, the recipient received the transaction notification but allegedly failed to return the money after being informed that it had been sent to him by mistake.
Instead, he reportedly switched off his phone, removed his SIM card and disappeared from his usual hangouts, making it difficult for the businessman to reach him.
Zack is said to have made several attempts to contact the recipient through phone calls and text messages, explaining that the money was meant for his supplier and asking him to send it back.
When those efforts failed, he reported the matter and sought assistance through the official mobile money reversal process.
The DCI said its investigations led to the identification of the registered recipient, who was eventually traced at a local entertainment establishment.
By the time officers found him, the suspect was reportedly enjoying himself at the venue, having allegedly spent part of the money on entertainment.
When confronted, he reportedly claimed that he intended to refund the amount after selling a pregnant cow at his rural home.
The DCI said officers arrested him and escorted him to custody, where he is being held pending further police action and court proceedings.
The agency used the incident to caution members of the public against keeping or spending money mistakenly sent to their mobile money accounts.
It also serves as a reminder to mobile money users to verify recipient details before confirming transactions and to promptly report mistaken transfers through the official channels.
