A Nairobi man has been arrested over allegations that he spent KSh 6.74 million (N69.7 million) mistakenly transferred to his bank account during a company’s routine payment process.
Dickson Yiaile Sitei was apprehended by detectives from the Banking Fraud Investigation Unit on Saturday, October 24, along Lantana Road in Westlands, following a months-long investigation into the disputed transaction.
Investigators traced the incident to November 18, 2025, when a company was processing 74 electronic payments at the same time.
Among the transactions was a legitimate payment of KSh 72,000 owed to Sitei as rent for premises occupied by the company at its shop in Suswa.
However, an error in the payment process reportedly resulted in an additional KSh 6,744,354 being deposited into his account. The money was meant for a different company and was unrelated to the rent payment.
The discrepancy was subsequently discovered, prompting efforts to recover the funds. However, Sitei allegedly failed to return the money and instead spent the funds that had been credited to his account in error.
The matter was later referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which examined the investigation file and approved two charges against the suspect.
The first charge is Intentional Withholding of Erroneously Delivered Payment, contrary to Section 35 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, No. 5 of 2018.
He is also expected to face a money laundering charge under Section 3(b)(1), read together with Section 16(1)(a) of the Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering Act, Cap 59A.
Sitei remains in custody pending his arraignment in court.
Following the arrest, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reiterated that individuals who receive money mistakenly deposited into their accounts are not legally entitled to keep or spend it.
The agency warned that anyone who knowingly retains or uses funds transferred in error could face prosecution, stressing the importance of returning such money to its rightful owner.
The case serves as a reminder that an accidental bank transfer does not automatically give the recipient ownership of the funds, and knowingly using the money may result in criminal proceedings.
