Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are investigating a man who allegedly posed as Standard Media Group journalist Eric Latiff to fleece money from renowned people.
Police said that Julius Gacheru Wangari, 30, did not bore even a vague resemblance to the radio talk show host at Spice FM and KTN News anchor, but it was his power of persuasion that managed to dupe his victims.
“In the imposture dating back to 2023, the suspect has been personating journalist and radio host Eric Latiff of Standard Group’s Spice FM, reaching out to guests hosted by the media personality in his Situation Room show,” DCI Kenya said on X.
“While in the guise, the suspect (who must be a religious follower of all the shows hosted by the complainant) has been sending ‘thank you’ messages to the well-to-do guests after every show, but just as a pick-up line before embarking on his tactical gambits.”
Gacheru alias Chris, a diploma holder in journalism previously working with a religious media organisation, never went to meet the victims physically – his entire scam was allegedly concocted over the phone.
“The targeted victims who lost thousands to the get-rich-quick faithful purporting to be Latiff in need of “kakitu nimekwama mahali” include a Principal Secretary, a renowned businessman and politician, a high-ranking director at KPLC, an official at Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya among others,” DCI revealed.
Crucial evidence, including the SIM cards used to send messages to targeted victims and receive the solicited money, was found on him and has since been surrendered to the Digital Forensic Laboratory for analysis, the police said, after arresting him while at his hideout in Zambezi area of Kikuyu in Kiambu County on Wednesday.
During this time, Gacheru remains locked up in police cells after Milimani Law Courts granted detectives at the Nairobi Regional Headquarters seven days to complete investigations.
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