18 Chinese Nationals Arrested in Kilimani Cyber Fraud Raid

Police have detained 18 Chinese nationals following a operation targeting a suspected cybercrime network operating from Kilimani apartments in Nairobi.

Acting on intelligence, DCI detectives and Chinese Embassy officials raided units on the 18th floor along Kindaruma Road, uncovering what they described as an active digital fraud hub. Authorities believe the group was targeting overseas accounts, funnelling stolen funds through Kenya before cashing them out.

During the raid, officers seized 39 Chinese and seven Malaysian passports, suggesting the operation may have involved multiple nationalities. Several suspects are believed to have fled before the team arrived.

Recovered equipment includes 11 desktop computers, 16 laptops, 26 mobile phones, routers, chargers, and other electronic accessories. Cash amounting to Sh293,000 and 22 Malagasy ariary notes were also found.

Three additional apartments linked to the suspects were searched. Preliminary findings show the group entered Kenya within the last month from countries including China, Malaysia, Cambodia and Madagascar.

The suspects remain in custody at Kilimani Police Station as investigations continue into the scale of the operation, possible local collaborators, and those who escaped.