By Lauryne Akoth
The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) has issued an advisory cautioning Kenyans to beware of fake detectives.
In a statement seen by KUTV, Kenyans were advised to be wary of falling victim to blackmail attempts by scammers posing as EACC investigators. The scammers masquerading as detectives are said to target public officials, claiming to conduct investigations and demanding bribes.
“Kenyans are cautioned against succumbing to extortion bids by fraudsters impersonating EACC investigators who are increasingly seeking bribes from public officials purporting to be carrying out investigations against them.” Read the statement in part.
According to EACC, the imposters solicit bribes by assuring victims that they can manipulate the alleged investigations in their favor.
Alarmingly, numerous individuals, including high-ranking state officials, have been trapped by this extortion scheme, prompting concerns about the readiness of many Kenyans to resort to bribery for desired results in different scenarios.
The commission also confirmed that a letter circulating in the public domain purportedly authored by the EACC was fraudulent.
In the letter allegedly written and signed by one George OJowi, an invitation for an interview was extended to Mr. Mbaabu Muguna over cooked-up investigations about fraudulent acquisition, misappropriation, and embezzlement of Ksh 58,000,000 at the Meru County Alcoholic Drinks Control Board.
The fake notice indicated that the aforementioned was required to appear before the commission’s Upper Eastern Regional Office on Wednesday 20th March failure to which he would be liable to penal consequences.
EACC denied associations to the letter and invited the public to report all suspected cases through their toll-free No. 1551 or email address report@integrity.go.ke.