Police Service Warns Kenyans Against Altering Phones Purchased on Credit

The government, through the National Police Service (NPS), has warned Kenyans using mobile phones purchased on credit, under the Lipa Mdogo Mdogo plan, against altering the devices to evade payment.

In a statement on Friday morning, the police service expressed concerns over an increase in the number of people flashing mobile phones taken on credit to evade payment.

Kenyans planning to buy mobile devices were also urged to be vigilant and avoid purchasing suspiciously cheap mobile phones from unscrupulous dealers.

NPS warns the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mobile devices from unscrupulous traders or getting involved in fraudulent activities, such as the flashing of mobile phones taken on credit to evade payment," the police service warned.The public is encouraged to remain vigilant and to report such illicit activities to the nearest police station or through the toll-free number: 999, 911, 112," it added.

The warning comes following the arrest of two suspects who were apprehended in connection with a mobile phone hacking and resale racket in Eldoret Town, Uasin Gishu County.

According to a police report, the duo were arrested yesterday following a tip-off from the public. Acting on intelligence, the officers raided a phone repair shop within Eldoret town. During the impromptu raid, the police officers caught the suspects in the act of flashing 28 assorted mobile phones, including devices purchased on a credit plan.

Police believe the duo were part of a larger syndicate involved in flashing stolen mobile phones and those taken on credit to evade payment of instalments.

A search of the shop led to the recovery of high-end electronic equipment, including two laptops, two Central Processing Units (CPUs), seven hard drives, and one Pandora box.

The detectives also recovered one dongle and one Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) device. According to the police, all the recovered equipment was used in altering IMEI numbers, reprogramming phones, and bypassing security features.

Following their arrests, the suspects were detained at Eldoret Police Station pending forensic analysis and preliminary investigations before their subsequent arraignment in court.