Ndudi Anyim
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations have warned Kenyans to desist from buying electronic gadgets such as laptops, mobile phones, TV sets from individuals or dealers who have no fixed physical address.
According to DCI, dealers without identifiable trading premises with requisite authorization documents that are conspicuously displayed, including licenses, permits & other local and/or national approvals, must not be patronised.
The DCI also urged Kenyans to insist on issuance of a receipt clearly itemizing the particulars whenever they buy a gadget.
“ Always keep the receipt or secure it electronically by photographing and archiving it in a reliable system, for example a desktop. It is risky and dangerous to buy any electronic device from suspicious outlets. ”
Stating that most sellers without fixed addresses are those who buy stolen items from armed gangsters who have violently robbed innocent citizens, and in the process killed or maimed them, the Directorate advised Kenyans not to buy a device of a fellow murdered or maimed Kenyan.
“ When detectives 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.
“ We further urge electronic dealers to seize the ICT technology and 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 and security purposes.
“ This makes it hard for criminals to hawk it and easier for investigative agencies to track and identify, ” it stated.