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Directorate of Criminal investigation (DCI) under the leadership of George Kinoti has cautioned Kenyans against buying mobile phones, laptops, TV sets and other electronics from Individuals or dealers with no fixed Physical Address.
In a Twitter thread, DCI advised Kenyans to refrain from buying electronic gadgets from suspicious outlets, as most of the items are stolen from innocent Citizens by armed gangsters who later sell them.
“CAUTION!!! The Public is hereby WARNED never to buy any Electronic Gadget including Laptops, Mobile Phones, TV Sets etc from an Individual or a Dealer who has no fixed Physical Address; Identifiable trading Building/ Premises with requisite authorization documents that are conspicuously displayed including Licenses, Permits & other Local and/or National Approvals. Always when buying insist on issuance of a Receipt clearly itemizing the particulars of the bought gadget. Always keep the receipt or secure it electronically by photographing it & archiving in a reliable system e.g. a desktop. It is RISKY & DANGEROUS to by any electronic device from suspicious outlets. Most are those who buy Stolen items from Armed Gangsters who have Violently robbed innocent Citizens & in the process Kill or Maim them,” reads part of the Tweet.
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Prime suspect
The detectives added that when one is found in possession of stolen items, he will be treated as a prime suspect, even if he was not involved in committing the crime.
“DON'T buy a device of a fellow Murdered or Maimed Kenyan. When Police Forensically Investigate & find you in possession of such said devices, by the time it is established that you were not involved in the crime, you may have suffered immensely. Being found with suspected stolen property, you suffer immediate consequences of the Actual Criminal, which may escalate to Death Sentences,” said DCI.
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Report to any Police station
They further pointed out that anyone in possession of a gadget from a suspicious source, should report to any nearby Police Station or DCI Office.
“We further urge Electronic Dealers to seize the IT/ICT technology & ensure they mark at the counter every electronic gadget bought by a customer as a value added incentive with indelible initials as may please the customer for safety & security purposes. This makes it hard for criminals to hawk it & easier for investigative agencies to track & identify. Equally, owners can mark in the same manner thro' various private experts in the market. In case of any doubt that you may be harbouring any gadget of suspicious source, please and in Confidence report at any Police Station or DCI Office,” tweeted DCI.