Following overwhelming reports of Online Fraud to our DCI Offices across the country, we wish to caution you transactions with Companies, Agencies and/or Individuals they have no credible information about, to avoid putting at stake their hard-earned money. Rampant among these cases include;
-Online groups luring jobless Kenyan youth on promises of getting them jobs within and abroad,
– Online product vendors who disappear once payments are done in advance,
– online car hires that never materialize.
-online cash traders (Forex Exchange)
-social media sites bearing prominent people’s profiles aimed at misleading and extortion,
-fraudsters making random calls while posing as service providers to cause panic to unsuspecting victims, informing them of possible security breaches to their Bank & Mpesa accounts hence end up revealing their confidential particulars,
–Agencies/Individuals advertising non-existing Rental Houses and/or Plots for sale, who ask for deposits while faking high demands after which they lie low on the victims.
Pursuit of these criminals is in most instances a lengthy procedure calling for Cyber-Forensic Interventions, mostly because perpetrators use different social media/Sim Cards to contact different people, after which they block & delete their accounts upon successful transactions.
In this regard, we urge the public to Always & Immediately report to their nearest Police Stations any time they lose their ID Cards, Sim Cards/Mobile phones & Laptops, Personal Documents including Academic Testimonials & Driving Licenses, & to obtain Abstract Forms thereby issued.
This is essential for, not only getting police assistance in recovering the lost items but also goes a long way in Strengthening the Victims’ Defense in case any such documents are subjected to Unlawful use by the perpetrators.
We advise the public to take precautions while engaging in online business dealings, to avoid falling prey to online scammers and fraudsters.
These are some comments from Kenyans:
Muriuki Sankara Crispus – “THIS IS ESSENTIAL FOR, NOT ONLY GETTING POLICE ASSISTANCE IN RECOVERING THE LOST ITEMS BUT ALSO GOES A LONG WAY IN STRENGTHENING THE VICTIMS’ DEFENSE IN CASE ANY SUCH DOCUMENTS ARE SUBJECTED TO UNLAWFUL USE BY THE PERPETRATORS.”
I have quoted this in caps for emphasis. Take this information very seriously.”
C.M. Mwashi – “When reporting a lost phone you are always convinced it’s for personal protection but someone always has that feeling the information you are giving will be used to bargain for a better deal by some rotten potatoes within the service…I lost a phone never have I received a call it was traced or there was an idea about it but I know my phone got a buyer…I celebrate 6 Months knowing I will never have it…Yet it is not that complicated it’s as easy as getting to us as we comment in the comfort of our offices or homes..”
John Daniel Kimani – “Why don’t you investigate mobile money lenders whether they are the ones who use people’s contacts and mpesa statement and messages. When one innocently gives them access so that one can get a loan or 1or 2k, their agents misuse that data. You should work with CBK to deregister the mobile lenders contravening the law and arrest the abusive loan agents. This can be done in conjunction with Digital Lenders Association”
Willy Kirui – “There are also products advertisers calling themselves Adartam l, who lure individuals to register using 200/-, then promises to pay out commission according to the number of views, after 21 days. On the elapse of the date, they don’t pay anything yet fraud the public to refer people. In the long run, they are the ones who benefit and leave their ‘agents’, frustrated.”
Naftal Omanga – “One, the online con uses Internet-sourced photos to push sales, which are professionally edited to make them eye-catching to entice a sucker. Secondly, they don’t use real names. This is the biggest give-away of most cons. They will either use two English names or names that will throw people off the scent of their real identity. They are embarrassed by their friends finding out the real source of “god’s blessings” that has launched them into wealth overnight. Then, they use nice language -but woe unto you if you are the kind who is always inquisitive because that’s when they will unleash the intense profanities that can only be whispered in the cover of darkness.”
