A 22-year-old university graduate was arrested on Tuesday and charged with fraud after detectives uncovered an elaborate online syndicate that allegedly sold fake 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) papers to unsuspecting students and parents across the country.
The suspect, identified as Chrispinus Nandafu Naisuma, was arrested in Kianjai, Tigania West, Meru County, following a sting operation by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
According to investigators, Naisuma had been posing as multiple online personas, using aliases such as “Ibrahim” and “Salim”, to operate a network of WhatsApp and Telegram groups where he allegedly promised candidates leaked exam papers in exchange for money.
The DCI reported that the suspect’s operation involved dozens of encrypted group channels and private chats targeting KCSE candidates, parents, and private school administrators desperate to gain early access to the 2025 examination materials.
Using fake academic credentials and doctored logos from KNEC, the suspect allegedly posted sample “exam papers” online to convince buyers of their authenticity.
Payment was reportedly made through mobile money platforms before he vanished with the cash.
During his arrest, detectives recovered multiple mobile phones, SIM cards, and laptops believed to have been used in orchestrating the fraud.
Forensic analysis of the devices is ongoing to trace additional accomplices and financial transactions linked to the scam.
The case comes amid rising concerns over the proliferation of online exam fraud networks, especially as the 2025 KCSE examinations draw closer.
In recent years, authorities have intensified surveillance on social media platforms, where fake exam papers are increasingly being marketed through encrypted messaging apps.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and the Ministry of Education have repeatedly warned candidates and parents against engaging in such illegal schemes, noting that the exam security system remains tightly controlled.
Over the past five years, dozens of arrests have been made across the country targeting similar networks.
In 2022, police dismantled a group of university students running a Telegram channel with over 5,000 subscribers, selling counterfeit KCSE and KCPE papers for as little as Sh1,000 per subject.
Investigations reveal that exam-related cybercrime has evolved into a sophisticated digital racket that thrives on misinformation, fear, and desperation among candidates.
Most of the so-called “leaked” papers shared online are fake, often recycled questions from previous years, designed purely for extortion.
Education officials have since partnered with cybersecurity experts to strengthen digital monitoring, including the tracking of suspicious online activity and mobile money trails linked to exam fraud.
The DCI Cybercrime Unit continues to monitor social media platforms in coordination with the Communications Authority of Kenya to detect and dismantle such fraudulent operations before national examinations begin.
“We urge the public, especially candidates and parents, not to be duped by con artists exploiting exam anxiety. Genuine KNEC examinations are fully secure,” authorities reiterated.
Naisuma remains in police as detectives pursue additional suspects linked to the scheme.
If convicted, he faces imprisonment of up to five years and fines under Kenyan cybercrime and examination integrity laws.
