A group of 77 Chinese nationals have been arrested by Kenyan police, accused of running a cybercrime operation. “Equipment capable of infiltrating bank accounts, Kenya’s M-Pesa mobile banking system and cash machines were discovered after a series of raids,” noted The Guardian.
The Guardian, referencing a report from the Standard, said that initial information suggested the group was making microchips for ATM cards.
“The affair is a rare sign of tension with China, a major investor in Kenya’s infrastructure and communications networks,” the Guardian said. “Kenya’s foreign minister, Amina Mohamed, made it clear that the Chinese government should fully cooperate on this matter, the communications minister, Fred Matiang’i, said. ‘China promised to send investigators to work with ours on this matter.’ China’s ambassador to Kenya has been summoned to explain if his government was aware of the group’s activities.”
