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The rise of scams targeting individuals in East Africa, particularly Kenya, has become a matter of concern for the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Reports indicate a growing number of Kenyans losing their hard-earned money to fraudsters operating through online cryptocurrency investment platforms.
The modus operandi involves sending enticing short messages (SMS) with phrases like “Make Money Sitting At Home” to random recipients, accompanied by a link inviting them to join supposed online investment opportunities. Intrigued by the promise of high returns on investment, many unsuspecting individuals fall victim to these scams.
As the DCI investigates multiple cases where investors find themselves defrauded, it highlights the deceptive nature of this modern-day hoodwink that has gained traction in the Kenyan market. Individuals, enticed by the allure of significant profits, venture into these schemes only to realize too late that they have lost substantial sums of money to cunning online scammers.
DCI have issued a cautionary alert, urging Kenyans and neighbouring countries to exercise vigilance. The advice is clear: before investing any funds, individuals should diligently verify the authenticity of online investment platforms. The DCI specifically recommends checking with regulatory bodies such as the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and the Communication Authority (CA) to ensure that the platforms are legitimate and comply with regulatory standards.
By taking these precautions and verifying the legitimacy of online investment opportunities, individuals can safeguard their hard-earned money from falling into the hands of fraudsters. DCI reminds everyone to remain cautious and informed in the face of evolving scam tactics.