Police in Nairobi are under scrutiny for their handling of a group of fraudsters operating in the city, who have been conning unsuspecting people out of hundreds of thousands of shillings.
According to reports, the group of about 15 people has been selling fake mobile phones, including the Yestel Mini X phone, which is worth Sh500, to unsuspecting customers. In some cases, they have also pretended to organize promotions where participants pay Sh5,000 to be included in a draw to win mobile phones or laptops, only to disappear before handing out the prizes.
A city resident told Nairobi News,
Everybody seems to know these people, they come and go as they please, do their business and drive off at their own comfort.
Previous Arrests and Releases ¶
Last month, the con artists, who operate from a Toyota van with registration number KBV 391E, were arrested by authorities along Kenyatta Avenue after Nairobi News exposed their operations. However, they were released and found their way back to the same street just three weeks later, resuming their activities.
On their return, they were again confronted by members of the public after one of their victims discovered they had purchased a fake phone. A melee ensued, and the driver hit a diplomatic vehicle with registration number 94CD11K as he sped off.
The repeated release of the fraudsters has sparked frustration among members of the public, who claim that the police are not doing enough to apprehend and prosecute the group.
