Three Kenyans suspected behind the recent BEC and VACC fraud schemes in the United States of America will remain in custody for another 14 days pending an extradition application.

Peter Omari, Francis Asanyo and Elvis Obaigwa are suspected to be involved in orchestrating and conducting Business Email Compromise (BEC) Schemes and Vendor Account compromise (VACC) fraud schemes in order to exploit online Vendor Self-Service (VSS) platforms set up by US State and Local Government Entities for the management of financial transactions, beginning sometime before April 2019.

It is alleged that the respondents registered internet domain names that were deceptively similar to the domain names of legitimate companies having contracts with the intended organizational victims.

They also set up email accounts incorporating these deceptive domains, and employed social engineering tactics to trick the victims to change the details of upcoming payments to bank accounts controlled by the BEC Conspiracy.

It is further alleged that the respondents recruited several US based individuals referred to as money mules, to open US based bank accounts in order to receive the fraud proceeds amounting to millions of dollars, and directed the mules on how to wire and launder the funds back to Kenya.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) requested the DCI to assist in providing the identifying information on the respondents, to confirm the telephone numbers used, to provide the addresses, current locations, previous criminal records, close associates and any other information that may lead to their connection with the criminal offences allegedly committed in the U.S.

U.S warrant of arrest

Senior Resident Magistrate Irene Thamara heard that on 15th November 2025, on the basis of the Indictment, the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, issued a warrant of arrest against the respondents.

The DCI sought 14 days to detain the suspects in order to complete investigations and commence the extradition process.

The court heard that if released on bail, the respondents are at flight risk since they have a history of cross border travel.

In addition, the court heard that an Interpol Red Alert Notice has been issued against them.

Their lawyers led by Cliff Ombeta and Danstan Omari opposed the application on grounds that Kenya does not have an extradition treaty with the U.S.

The defense also submitted that the prosecution had failed to demonstrate how they are a flight risk.

The lawyers submitted that the application by the prosecution lacked merit and requested the court to release their clients on bond or bail.

After considering the application by the parties, the magistrate ruled that there were compelling reasons to warrant custodial orders.

According to the magistrate, compelling reasons include the red alert notice and warrants of arrest against the suspects.

The court found tge application by the prosecution is merited and directed the suspects to be detained for 14 days at Kileleshwa Police Station.

The case will be mentioned on 2nd March 2026.