This archive report was first published on 9 September 2019.
On September 9, 2019, a daring bank heist took place at Standard Chartered bank's Nairobi West branch, with thieves making off with Ksh 72 million.
However, the robbers' plan was foiled by a series of silly mistakes, including carrying their phones to the crime scene, renting a car from a fellow police officer, and communicating extensively after the crime.
According to reports, Constables Chris Ayienda and Vincent Owour were among those arrested in connection with the theft, which was dubbed #MoneyHeist Season four by social media users.
Below are some of the key mistakes that led to their arrest:
- Carrying their phones to the crime scene, which made it easy for authorities to track them.
- Renting a car from a fellow police officer, which made it easier for investigators to identify the vehicle.
- Communicating extensively after the crime, which allowed authorities to keep tabs on them.
- Involving too many people in the robbery, which made it harder to keep the secret.
- Keeping large sums of cash with them, which made it easier for authorities to recover the stolen money.
Despite the seriousness of the crime, the thieves' mistakes have been widely ridiculed on social media, with many commending them for their 'guts' in attempting the heist.
