The office of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations has warned Kenyans to be cautious when engaging in online transactions with people or businesses with no credible information as they are likely to be conned.
The DCI noted that it continues to receive overwhelming reports of online fraud across the country which has prompted it to issue a warning to unsuspecting Kenyans.
“Following overwhelming reports of online fraud to our DCI Offices across the country, we wish to caution members of the public against engaging in online transactions with companies, agencies and/or Individuals they have no credible information about, to avoid putting at stake their hard-earned money,” the investigations body posted on Facebook.
- 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 materialise.
- 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 and 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.
The office of the DCI regretted that it is hard to nab online criminals due to lengthy investigations and complex nature of the cases.
“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,” DCI stated.
It caused the public to immediately report to the nearest police station anytime they lose their crucial documents.
“We urge the public to Always & Immediately report to their nearest Police Stations any time they lose their ID Cards, sim cards/mobile phones and laptops, personal documents including academic testimonials and 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’ defence in case any such documents are subjected to Unlawful use by the perpetrators” the DCI said.