Surge in Impersonators: Over 300 Fraudsters Pretending to be EACC Detectives in Kenya
The number of people pretending to be detectives in the country has surpassed 300 as of August 2024.
On Monday, August 12, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) issued a warning about the rising trend of fraudsters masquerading as its detectives and deceiving unsuspecting Kenyans out of their money.
Throughout 2024, the EACC reported over 300 incidents where individuals fraudulently posed as EACC officers or representatives from other law enforcement bodies conducting official investigations.
In regions like Kakamega, Bungoma, and Busia counties, some imposters have set up fake EACC offices, offering services under the guise of the commission, according to EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi.
For example, in Busia, a group called the Anti-Corruption Investigations Agency has allegedly been collecting money from the public to handle corruption-related disputes and even placing restrictions on land.
Certain imposters issue counterfeit EACC Integrity Clearances for job applicants, a service that the EACC normally provides free of charge.
The EACC is astonished by how readily many Kenyans are willing to offer bribes to avoid potential trouble.
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Other fraudsters conduct fake investigations, arrests, and search operations, demanding substantial bribes in exchange for altering their findings or dropping possible criminal charges.
Some imposters enter business premises, claiming to inspect compliance with licensing requirements or counterfeit goods.
The EACC has reported that these fraudsters primarily target national government officials, county officials, school principals, and private business owners, causing significant financial losses.
For school principals, the imposters concentrate on issues related to illegal fee charges, procurement, and financial management. In counties, they target revenue collection officials, and for national government administration officers, they focus on alleged corruption.
Kenyans encountering suspicious individuals are urged to contact the EACC and avoid falling into these fraudulent schemes. The public should verify the legitimacy of anyone claiming to be an EACC officer before taking any action.
Recent trends indicate that many victims are quick to negotiate with the imposters, leading to substantial extortion, which suggests that some targeted individuals might be involved in corruption or other misconduct.
Last month, the EACC apprehended a police officer from Muthangari Police Station and four other imposters who were caught conducting a raid at a Kitui County official’s residence.
Surge in Impersonators: Over 300 Fraudsters Pretending to be EACC Detectives in Kenya
