Nairobi, Aug. 4 -- Kenyans lost Sh491.6 million ($3.8 million) and cryptocurrency after cyber-criminals hijacked victims' mobile phone numbers in SIM-swap fraud.

Interpol reckons that Kenya's SIM swap fraud surged by 327 percent last year on the back of increased use of mobile money platforms.

The surge in attacks highlights the risk of cyber heists in the wake of heavy tech adoption by banks and mobile banking investments.

SIM swap fraud occurs when a fraudster convinces a mobile carrier to transfer a victim's phone number to a SIM card they control, exploiting the legitimate feature of mobile number portability.

Once the swap is complete, the victim's phone loses network connectivity, and the fraudster receives all calls and texts, ...