University student arrested over suspected fake KNEC exam papers scam

Detectives attached to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) have arrested a university student allegedly behind an elaborate online scam selling fake examination papers.

The suspect, a fourth-year student, was smoked out of his hideout in Kianjai, Tigania West Subcounty, following a planned operation by detectives.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations said they have since established that the student is the mastermind behind an online syndicate trading under the banner “The Teacher’s KNEC Exam 2025.”

In the platform, he operates under multiple online personas, allegedly conning unsuspecting Kenyans into buying fake exam papers.

“When detectives finally closed in, they recovered several SIM cards, six mobile phones and two laptops among other incriminating items believed to have been used in the scam,” DCI said in a statement.

The student is currently in custody undergoing processing pending his arraignment.

Meanwhile, the DCI and KNEC have intensified a joint crackdown on individuals and syndicates peddling fake examination materials across the country.

Kenyans have been warned against engaging with fraudsters claiming to sell genuine examination papers as all official exams are securely administered and protected by strict integrity measures.

With the national examination season around the corner, authorities are raising the alarm over a growing racket of individuals and online groups selling fake KNEC papers to unsuspecting candidates and parents.

The syndicates, often operating via social media platforms and encrypted messaging apps, claim to have access to leaked national examination papers.

These fake dealers lure desperate students and guardians by purporting to offer “KNEC-confirmed” papers at a fee ranging from Sh500 to Sh10,000, depending on the subject and level of exam.

However, KNEC has reiterated that the integrity of the exam process remains intact and that all so-called leaked papers in circulation are fake.

KNEC has repeatedly warned students and parents against falling for the trap, noting that possession, sharing, or use of fake exam materials constitutes an offence under the law and can lead to prosecution, disqualification, or imprisonment.

Investigations by security agencies have revealed that these operations are often well-coordinated, with some involving former teachers, cybercrime experts, and rogue officials.

They target both KCPE and KCSE candidates, exploiting anxiety and the pressure to perform.

To counter the menace, KNEC has heightened its security protocols ahead of the exams, including digital tracking of examination containers, deployment of plainclothes officers, and surveillance of printing facilities.

Authorities are calling on the public to report any suspicious activity or individuals claiming to sell exam papers. Anonymous tips can be made through official police lines or KNEC hotlines.