A Nairobi man has been arrested for allegedly spending more than Ksh.6.7 million that was mistakenly deposited into his bank account in a payment processing error.
Dickson Yiaile Sitei was arrested on Saturday, October 24, 2026, by detectives from the Banking Fraud Investigation Unit (BFIU) along Lantana Road in Westlands, Nairobi, following investigations into the disputed funds.
The money was mistakenly credited to Sitei’s account on November 18, 2025, when a company was processing 74 electronic payments. Among the transactions was a legitimate Ksh.72,000 rent payment owed to Sitei for the company’s Suswa shop.
However, an additional Ksh. 6,744,354, which was meant for another company, was also deposited into his account.
The company later sought recovery of the funds after discovering the error, but detectives established that Sitei had allegedly used the money despite being aware that it had been credited to his account by mistake.
The matter was then investigated and the case forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for further assessment.
Following a review of the evidence, the ODPP directed that Sitei face charges of intentional withholding of an erroneously delivered payment and money laundering.
Sitei therefore remains in custody as detectives complete the processing of the case ahead of his arraignment in court.
The DCI has further cautioned members of the public that money deposited into an account by mistake does not automatically become the recipient’s property.