Detectives have arrested a man accused of spending Sh6.7 million that was mistakenly deposited into his bank account, despite efforts by the affected company to recover the funds.
Dickson Yiaile Sitei was arrested on Saturday, October 24, 2026, along Lantana Road in Westlands, Nairobi, by officers from the Banking Fraud Investigation Unit (BFIU).
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the incident occurred on November 18, 2025, when a company was processing 74 electronic payments.
One of the transactions was a legitimate rent payment of Sh72,000 owed to Sitei for the company’s shop in Suswa.
However, a processing error resulted in an additional Sh6,744,354, intended for another company, being credited to Sitei’s account.
The company subsequently sought to recover the money, but Sitei allegedly spent the funds instead of returning the amount mistakenly transferred to him.
The matter prompted an investigation by detectives, who later forwarded the case file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for review and directions on possible charges.
Following the review, the ODPP recommended that Sitei face charges of intentionally withholding an erroneously delivered payment, contrary to Section 35 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018, and money laundering under the Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering Act.
Sitei remains in custody as police complete processing ahead of his arraignment in court.
The DCI has cautioned members of the public against retaining or spending money mistakenly deposited into their bank accounts, warning that such funds do not automatically become the recipient’s property.
The agency said individuals who deliberately withhold or spend money transferred to them in error risk prosecution under the law.
