DCI arrests three people for impersonating senior gov’t officials on social media
The suspects were obtaining colossal amounts of money after duping unsuspecting Kenyans that they will be granted job opportunities, financial aid among other favors.
Other officials who have been impersonated are First Lady Rachel Ruto, Second Lady pastor Dorcas Rigathi, Chief Justice Martha Koome, Defence CS Aden Duale and Energy and Petroleum CS Davis Chirchir.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has cautioned Kenyans against falling prey to fake social media accounts impersonating government officials including President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
This as 3 suspects have been apprehended after they were found running multiple social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, obtaining colossal amounts of money after duping unsuspecting Kenyans that they will be granted job opportunities, financial aid among other favors.
Michael Wekesa, 19, was arrested in Sirisia, Bungomaa county after opening a Facebook account purporting to be an employee of the Office of the First Lady from which he posed as a loans officer offering quick loans.
“The suspect who promised interest free loans from the esteemed First Lady’s Office, requested for a small deposit as ‘facilitation fees’ to expedite the process,” wrote DCI on Sunday.
“Unsuspecting Kenyan’s not aware of the existence such scammers sent money to a provided Mpesa account which was then transferred to a till number under the suspect’s name.”
After making the payments Wekesa is said to dissapear and ignore phone calls from his victims.
Wekesa’s alleged accomplice, 19-year-old Isaac Oduor, who operated a ‘call center’ that received calls was also arrested.
DCI say three mobile phones suspected to have been used in the transactions were recovered.
Elsewhere Commerce graduate from Kirinyaga University, Dennis Kimaru, 25, was arrested after being found operating a pseudo accounts for President Ruto’s aide-de-camp Col Fabian Lengusuranga.
He also operated Mzalendo Kimaru (jeshii), Mzalendo Kym Korir and Obuntu Family’s Facebook accounts.
DCI has also announced that further probe has been launched to arrest more suspects.
Other officials who have been impersonated are First Lady Rachel Ruto, Second Lady pastor Dorcas Rigathi, Chief Justice Martha Koome, Defence CS Aden Duale and Energy and Petroleum CS Davis Chirchir.
Meanwhile Kenyans have been advised to not respond to requests from unverified accounts, adding that any suspicious accounts should be reported to the DCI hotline.
“Kenyans are advised to be wary of such social media accounts and are cautioned not to send money to anyone in order to influence favours. Should you have any information that you would wish to share with us anonymously please dial #FichuakwaDCI 0800 722 203.”
