Nairobi, Kenya – July 22, 2025 – A forensic investigation has uncovered a sophisticated fraud scheme involving the cloning and unauthorized use of a mobile phone line registered to Samson Taalam, the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Central Police Station, while he was in custody.
The revelations, presented before the Milimani Magistrate Court, highlight a troubling breach of security and raise questions about vulnerabilities in mobile network systems.
Inspector Moses Adeli from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters testified on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, that investigations revealed unauthorized SIM swap activity linked to OCS Taalam’s mobile number.
According to Adeli, the original phone and SIM card used by Taalam were secured at Lang’ata, where he was detained on June 15, 2025, following his arrest.
However, records indicate that a SIM replacement request was made the following day, June 16, from a different location via a third-party agency, suggesting a deliberate attempt to clone the SIM card.
“The continued use of the number, despite the owner being in custody and his devices seized, indicates unauthorized access,” Adeli told the court.
The cloned SIM card is believed to have been used to perpetrate fraudulent activities, though specific details of the fraud were not disclosed in court.
During Taalam’s arrest, detectives recovered three mobile phones, 29 used SIM cards, and 13 unused SIM cards, all of which are pending forensic examination.
Additionally, a forensic report revealed that 10 of the 29 used SIM cards are yet to undergo detailed analysis, which could provide further insights into the scope of the scheme.
Taalam was arraigned in court on Monday, July 21, 2025, under a miscellaneous application.
The court granted a request to detain him for seven days to allow for further investigations, with the next mention scheduled for the following Monday.
Authorities are working to identify those behind the SIM swap and the alleged misuse of Taalam’s phone line.
This case underscores the growing threat of SIM card cloning and mobile fraud in Kenya, where criminals exploit vulnerabilities in telecommunications systems to gain unauthorized access to victims’ phone lines.
Such schemes often involve social engineering, insider collusion, or hacking to facilitate SIM swaps, enabling fraudsters to intercept calls, messages, and even financial transactions.
The ongoing investigation is expected to shed light on how the breach occurred while Taalam was in custody and whether it points to broader systemic issues within law enforcement or telecommunications security.
The DCI has yet to release additional details, but the case has sparked public concern about the safety of personal data and the integrity of mobile networks.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging mobile users to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to their phone lines.
