EACC raises alarm over the increase of the number of imposters
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has raised concerns about an increase in imposters posing as EACC detectives
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has raised concerns about an increase in imposters posing as EACC detectives.
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has lamented the increasing problem of imposters claiming to be part of the Commission.
Speaking in Diani, Kwale, Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi said the Commission is experiencing a challenge of an increasing number of imposters who are defrauding unsuspecting public officials and innocent business operators.
He added that the persons pretend to be officials of the EACC or other law enforcement agencies undertaking lawful investigative operations.
He noted that the problem has now found its way into Kitui, Makueni and Machakos counties with 24 cases of imposters having been reported from the region in the last three months.
Ngumbi noted that in the Lower Eastern Region, the fraudsters conning people have largely been pretending to be from the EACC Lower Eastern Regional Office in Machakos or Nairobi Headquarters.
“They have been targeting county officials, school principals and National Government Administration Officers, demanding to be given money so that they stop their alleged investigations,” he said.
For school principals, he said the imposters focus on allegations of illegal fee charges, procurement and financial management issues.
Ngumbi said for counties, they target officials working in revenue collection while for the National Government Administration officers, the fraudsters focus on alleged corruption in administration.
He advised Kenyans who encounter suspicious persons to always notify EACC and avoid succumbing to the fraudulent traps.
“The Commission is surprised at the high level of readiness with which most Kenyans are willing to bribe their way out of perceived trouble,” he said.
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“Even in cases where victims of these fraudsters can easily contact EACC and verify the authenticity of persons claiming to be its officers, some of the victims have been quick in initiating a settlement with the imposters leading to extortion of huge sums of money.”
He said this is an indication that some of the persons targeted by the imposters are involved in corruption or other wrongdoing.
This is even as five imposters were arrested in Kitui County for “arresting” a senior county official and undertaking a search operation in her residence on July 19, 2024.
They were armed with a fake search warrant purportedly issued by the Milimani Chief Magistrate’s Court.
The court is expected to rule on whether the accused, currently in custody, will be released on bail.
They are charged with impersonating EACC investigators, conspiracy to commit a felony, abducting with intent to confine, forgery, uttering a false document, attempts to extort by threats and being in possession of suspected stolen property.
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