Nairobi man arrested for spending Ksh6.7 million bank error

Detectives from the Banking Fraud Investigation Unit (BFIU) arrested a man in Westlands, Nairobi, for allegedly spending Ksh6.7 million that was mistakenly credited to his account. The error occurred in November 2025 when a company processing 74 electronic payments inadvertently transferred an additional Ksh6,744,354 to the suspect while attempting to pay Ksh72,000 in rent for a shop in Suswa.

The funds were intended for a different company. Despite the error being discovered, the suspect allegedly spent the money rather than returning it. Following an investigation, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) directed that the suspect be charged with intentional withholding of an erroneously delivered payment under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018, as well as money laundering charges under the Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering Act.

The suspect remains in custody awaiting arraignment. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has issued a public warning stating that funds mistakenly credited to an account do not belong to the recipient and must be returned to the rightful owner.