About LostPhoneKE: Kenya’s Stolen Device Database

LostPhoneKE is a public, community-driven registry designed to combat the rising cases of phone theft and electronics fraud in Kenya. Whether you are in Nairobi, Mombasa, or Kisumu, our mission is to make stolen devices "too hot to handle" by providing a transparent ledger for lost property.

Why Report Your Lost Phone?

Every year, thousands of Kenyans lose their smartphones, laptops, and tablets to theft or accidental loss. While reporting to the police and getting an OB Number (Occurrence Book) is the first step, these devices often end up in second-hand markets like Jiji or Facebook Marketplace.

By registering your IMEI number or Serial Number on our public database, you:

  • Flag the Device: Anyone searching the IMEI will see that the device is reported stolen.
  • Protect the Public: You prevent innocent Kenyans from buying "stolen property" (illegal under Kenyan law).
  • Increase Recovery Chances: Good Samaritans or police officers can search our database to find the rightful owner.

New: Protect Before You Lose

You don't have to wait until disaster strikes. With our new Device Registration feature, you can store your device details (IMEI, Serial Number, Model) securely while it is still in your possession.

If the unfortunate happens, you won't have to scramble to find your box or receipt. You can simply log in and mark your registered device as "Lost" instantly.

Register My Device

For Business: The All-In-One Seller Portal

We are evolving into Kenya's most trusted platform for electronics. Our new Seller Portal empowers verified shop owners to:

  • Manage Inventory: Track all your devices in one secure dashboard.
  • Bulk Upload: Register hundreds of devices instantly via CSV to check their status.
  • Verified Marketplace (Coming Soon): List your "Safe" devices directly to buyers who trust the LostPhoneKE green badge.
Access Seller Portal

How the Process Works in Kenya

If you have lost your device, follow this essential checklist:

  1. Report to the Police: Visit your nearest station to get a Police Abstract and an OB Number.
  2. Block Your SIM Card: Contact Safaricom, Airtel, or Telkom to block your line and protect your M-PESA and mobile banking apps.
  3. List on LostPhoneKE: Enter your device’s IMEI (dial *#06# on your box or backup records) into our registry to alert the public.

Buying a Second-Hand Phone?

Are you planning to buy a used iPhone or Samsung in Nairobi? Before you hand over your cash, use our IMEI Search tool.

Checking our database allows you to verify if a device has been flagged. Buying a stolen phone in Kenya can lead to legal trouble—always verify the source.

Frequently Asked Questions

The easiest way is to dial *#06# on your phone. If your phone is lost, check the original packaging box or your contract with Safaricom/Airtel. You can also sometimes find it in your Google Dashboard (Android) or iCloud (iPhone).

LostPhoneKE is a registry, not a GPS tracker. However, reporting your IMEI here means that if someone turns the phone on and tries to sell it, a buyer checking the IMEI will see it is stolen. For GPS tracking, contact the police (DCI) or your mobile service provider.

Use our "Search" tool to check if the owner has reported it. If there is a match, you may find contact instructions. Otherwise, please hand it over to the nearest police station or the specific carrier's (Safaricom/Airtel) customer care shop.

Legal Disclaimer

LostPhoneKE is a community-driven database and is NOT affiliated with the National Police Service (NPS) or the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

  • We do not have the power to arrest suspects or recover devices physically.
  • We cannot track the live GPS location of any device.
  • Data is user-generated. While we verify emails, we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of all reports.
  • Always involve the police when recovering a lost item. Do not attempt to confront suspected thieves yourself.

About the Developer

LostPhoneKE was developed by Malcolm Kioko to solve the lack of accessible tools for reporting lost electronics in Kenya.

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