Two Suspects Charged with Hacking Bank Account and Transferring Ksh.1.8 Million

Two individuals, Alex Kimaiyo Kiprono and Emmanuel Kipkoech Rotich, appeared at the Milimani Law Courts on Friday.

They faced charges of computer fraud, including accusations of unlawfully accessing bank accounts and withdrawing funds without authorization.

The prosecution revealed that Kiprono and Rotich targeted a joint account at a local financial institution.

By breaching the bank’s security systems, they managed to transfer Ksh.1.8 million. This incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of Kenya’s banking systems and the increasing risks of cybercrime.

To strengthen their case, detectives requested additional time to investigate Rotich further.

The court approved the request and allowed them to hold him for five more days.

Meanwhile, Kiprono secured his release after posting a bond of Ksh.1 million or paying a cash bail of Ksh.650,000.

The authorities emphasized that they will continue uncovering the full extent of the crime.

They are also working to identify other individuals who may have participated in the hacking scheme. These efforts aim to ensure accountability and deter similar crimes.

Cybersecurity experts have urged banks to invest in advanced security measures to protect customer accounts.

Many financial institutions rely on digital platforms, making them potential targets for sophisticated cyberattacks.

This case highlights the urgent need to adopt robust defenses against such threats.

The court will provide updates as investigations progress. If found guilty, the suspects could face severe penalties under Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, including imprisonment and heavy fines.