US indicts Kenyan ‘Sharp Boy’ over multi-million Student Aid Fraud scheme using stolen identities – He went to the US in 2024 after winning Green Card!

Friday, October 30, 2026 - A Kenyan national is facing multiple federal charges in the United States after being accused of orchestrating a sophisticated student financial aid fraud scheme that allegedly used stolen identities of American citizens to obtain government funds.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Francis Mugambi was indicted by a federal grand jury in Nebraska on October 19 and charged with five counts of theft of government money and five counts of aggravated identity theft.

Prosecutors allege that Mugambi participated in a scheme that ran between November 2025 and May 2026, during which he worked with accomplices based in Kenya to steal the identities of U.S. citizens.

The stolen identities were then allegedly used to fraudulently enroll victims in American educational institutions and secure federal student financial aid payments.

Court documents indicate that the funds were redirected to Mugambi, who is accused of retaining approximately 30 percent of the proceeds before sending the remaining money to co-conspirators in Kenya.

“According to court documents, Mugambi allegedly worked with associates in Kenya to steal U.S. identities, enrol victims as students, redirect federal aid payments, retain a share of the proceeds and send the remainder to co-conspirators in Kenya,” Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald said.

Investigators further claim Mugambi attempted to recruit another individual into the operation and openly discussed how the alleged scheme worked.

He reportedly said he earned about $2,000 weekly from the arrangement and sought a business that would allow him to cash larger cheques without attracting tax scrutiny.

Following his arrest, Mugambi was ordered detained pending trial after a court reportedly determined that he posed a flight risk and a possible danger to the community.

If convicted, the Kenyan national could face significant prison time, particularly because some of the charges carry mandatory minimum sentences linked to the alleged use of stolen identities.

Records show Mugambi entered the United States in May 2024 after winning the Diversity Visa Lottery and later obtained permanent resident status.

“This is the first international seizure of its kind in Kenya. 

"If you steal American identities, if you steal taxpayer dollars, if you exploit programs meant to help students build a future — we will find you. 

"Whether you are in Nebraska, New Jersey, Virginia, or Nairobi, we will pursue you.” The Justice Department said in a statement.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.