For years, a belief lingered in casual conversations. That if someone erroneously sent money to your account, it was your lucky day. It was a financial windfall and did not have criminal consequences.
However, recent arrests by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have proved the thought is a myth.
In recent years, the sleuths have made high-profile arrests and arraigned some in court, making it clear that withdrawing or spending money sent to you by mistake is theft, and that the digital trail never fades.
Towards the end of October, a landlord based in Suswa was arraigned for allegedly spending Sh6.7 million mistakenly credited to his bank account.
According to the DCI, the incident unfolded on November 18, 2025, when a company that rented a premise owned by the suspect processed several payments.
While he was to receive Sh72,000 owed for rent, an extra Sh6,744,354 was also deposited to his account.
Despite efforts to recover the money, the suspect allegedly spent the excess money with no remorse.
“The reckless decision led to an investigation that ended with the case file being forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP),” said the DCI.
He was later charged with intentional withholding of erroneously delivered payment in contravention of section 35 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act of 2018, and money laundering contrary to section 3(b)(1) as read with section 16(1)(a) of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, Cap 59A.
Earlier on, two farmers who withdrew and spent Sh33,952 erroneously sent to them via mobile money narrowly escaped a 14-year jail term after a court in Nairobi accepted their pleas for leniency.
They pleaded guilty to three counts of receiving and withholding Sh33,952 and failing to return the cash to the sender, a NG-CDF account of one Sila Omondi at Co-operative Bank.
Roselyn Nyamukuru Nyongesa (left) and Mary Nanjala at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi on September 8, 2026.
Photo credit: Richard Munguti | Nation Media Group
The two, Mary Nanjala and Roselyn Namukuru, farmers from Kakamega, walked free after Sila Omondi confirmed they had since paid the money they stole, escaping the jail term and a fine of Sh5 million for theft, money laundering, and acquisition of proceeds of crime.
Recently, the DCI arrested one Nairobi resident by the name Biggie, who pocketed Sh43,320 sent to him. The money was meant to be sent to a supplier, but the sender mistyped a digit and the cash found its way to Biggie.
According to the detectives, the suspect switched off his phone, removed his SIM card, and headed to an entertainment joint to spend the cash.
“Brother, I have sent you money by mistake. Please return it, it is meant for a supplier please,” read the message sent.
The detectives explained that they picked up the suspect, warning the public against keeping money not meant for them.
“We want to remind the public that mistakenly receiving money does not make it yours. Switching off your phone or changing your SIM card does not erase accountability,” said the DCI.
According to them, knowingly keeping or spending the money may constitute a criminal offence under Kenyan law.
“If you receive money erroneously, do the right thing and follow the proper reversal channels. Remember, what looks like a blessing today could become evidence in court tomorrow,” said the sleuths.
