Kenyans are facing a growing cybercrime threat as criminals increasingly combine stolen personal information with artificial intelligence to create convincing fake identities.
The warning is contained in INTERPOL's African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, which highlights the growing use of AI in cybercrime across the continent.
According to the report, criminals can combine genuine information belonging to real people with fabricated details to create synthetic identities that appear legitimate.
These identities can then be used to trick digital verification systems, including Know Your Customer checks used by banks and other financial institutions.
INTERPOL said AI was involved in 55 per cent of reported cybercrimes across Africa in 2025. Criminals are using the technology for activities such as phishing, reconnaissance, extortion and attempts to avoid detection.
The report also warns that cybercriminals are moving beyond simply stealing passwords and existing account details. Stolen personal information can now be combined with AI-generated material to create new digital identities.
Such identities could potentially be used to open bank accounts, obtain mobile loans or register SIM cards under false identities, making it harder for authorities and financial institutions to identify criminals.
INTERPOL also noted that cybercrime-related financial losses in Africa more than doubled between 2024 and 2025, rising from $192 million to $484 million.
The organisation has called for stronger cooperation between countries, better digital forensic capabilities and increased investment in AI skills for law enforcement agencies.
The warning comes as Kenya and other East African countries experience growing cybercrime threats, particularly involving mobile money, online scams and identity-related fraud.
The latest report highlights the importance of protecting personal information as criminals develop increasingly sophisticated ways of turning stolen data into fraudulent digital identities.