4 GHash Scammers Arrested After DCI Raise Alarm On Cryptocurrency Scam

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Friday, February 16 arrested four suspected cryptocurrency scammers following a raid in the Kahawa area in Kiambu County.

DCI revealed that the quartet were implicated in a larger scam involving GHash mining, which claims to be a leading technology-driven cryptocurrency mining company with a long-term strategy to create value across the cryptocurrency industry.

The detectives embarked on the hunt for the four suspects after reports that several people complained about losing their hard-earned money to the vicious scammers.

SIM cards confiscated during a raid in Kahawa Wendani in Nairobi on Friday, February 16, 2024. /DCI

"Four suspects implicated in a larger GHash mining scam were arrested yesterday within Kahawa, following a joint operation by various units drawn from DCI Headquarters.

"The four were booked at Muthaiga and Pangani Police Stations after their arrest," stated the DCI in part.

During their arrest, the joint security teams recovered 1,336 SIM cards, a tablet, a laptop and eight mobile phones.

"More suspects are being sought as the four pend arraignment on Monday," added the DCI.

The country has witnessed an upsurge in crypto mining over the last years with suspects luring many unsuspecting youths to invest their money on the premise with a promise of high returns of up to 300 per cent.

Investors are required to deposit funds into their accounts in a bid to optimize the process.

Scammers demand account recharges in order to allow investors to make withdrawals or receive a 345 per cent return on investment. Many comply and replenish their accounts as asked, not thinking there has been any foul play behind the scenes.

The scammers then disappear from the internet without warning, and victims are cut off from communication with them.

Notably, DCI urged Kenyans to exercise caution while dealing with cryptocurrency and invitations through Short Message Service (SMS) texts inviting them to join the trading platforms.

On DCI's radar were SMS texts sent by the fraudsters with links to join the online investment platforms, with enticing messages such as "Make Money Sitting at Home" to trick unsuspecting victims.