Uganda Police have identified a cybercrime syndicate behind a rising wave of WhatsApp-related fraud, cautioning the public to stay vigilant against their deceptive schemes.
The criminals, who have been using advanced tactics to hijack WhatsApp accounts, have been exposed following multiple complaints from victims across the country.
According to Police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke, the suspects—Dr. Howell Kirui (+254735002953), Dominic Kosek (+254754033882), Ezra (+254787947086), and Kibet Kinandet (+254105218443)—use a sophisticated technique to lock users out of their accounts.
They send fake verification codes and trick victims into believing they must re-register. Under the pretext of account recovery, the fraudsters then demand money, claiming it is necessary for reactivation.
Once they gain access, the scammers exploit the compromised accounts by reaching out to the victim’s contacts and groups, falsely claiming that large sums of money have been deposited into their mobile money accounts.
Police are urging anyone who has fallen victim to these scams to report the incidents immediately.
“We advise the public to be extremely cautious and never share their verification codes with anyone,” ACP Rusoke emphasised. “Always verify any suspicious messages through official service provider channels and report any fraudulent activity to law enforcement.”
Authorities are actively investigating the network of cybercriminals and have assured the public that efforts are underway to dismantle their operations.
