Detectives have arrested a man accused of spending KSh 6.7 million that was mistakenly deposited into his bank account following a payment processing error, months after the disputed transaction occurred.
The suspect, identified as Dickson Yiaile Sitei, was arrested on Saturday, October 24, along Lantana Road in Westlands, Nairobi, by detectives from the Banking Fraud Investigation Unit (BFIU), according to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). He is being held pending arraignment in court.
The case dates back to November 18, 2025, when a company was processing a batch of 74 electronic payments. Among the transactions was a legitimate rent payment of KSh 72,000 owed to Sitei for premises the company occupied in Suswa.
However, an error during the payment process reportedly resulted in an additional KSh 6,744,354, intended for another company, being deposited into Sitei’s account alongside the rent payment.
Company sought recovery of the funds
According to the DCI, the company later discovered the error and sought to recover the money, but Sitei allegedly spent the funds instead of returning them to their rightful owner.
The circumstances surrounding the transaction prompted an investigation by the Banking Fraud Investigation Unit, which examined the disputed payment and the alleged use of the money.
The case file was subsequently forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for review. Following an assessment of the evidence, prosecutors recommended that the suspect face charges relating to the intentional withholding of an erroneously delivered payment and money laundering.
The arrest came nearly 11 months after the funds were reportedly deposited into the account, highlighting the time that can elapse between the discovery of a financial irregularity and the completion of investigations.
Two charges recommended
The ODPP recommended charges of intentionally withholding an erroneously delivered payment under Section 35 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018, and money laundering under the Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering Act.
The proposed charges relate to the alleged retention and use of money that was not intended for the recipient. Sitei is awaiting arraignment, and the allegations have yet to be determined by a court.
DCI warns against spending money received by mistake
Following the incident, the DCI cautioned members of the public against treating money mistakenly deposited into their accounts as their own.
The agency emphasised that an erroneous transfer does not automatically confer ownership of the funds on the recipient, urging anyone who receives money unexpectedly to report the transaction and facilitate its return through the appropriate channels.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying unexpected deposits and contacting the relevant financial institution when a payment appears incorrect.
As investigations give way to court proceedings, the case is expected to test the allegations surrounding the disputed funds and establish the facts through the judicial process.
Sitei remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
