Nairobi’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is investigating a potential link between fraudulent tape-lifting services at car bazaars and a car theft syndicate operating in the city. The probe follows the arrest of a suspect impersonating a DCI officer while offering tape-lifting services to unsuspecting car buyers.
Tape-lifting is a forensic procedure used to verify a vehicle’s particulars by lifting the chassis and engine numbers and comparing them with the details on the logbook. The process, which is typically carried out by a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) from the DCI, helps confirm vehicle authenticity before purchase or during logbook inconsistencies.
However, detectives suspect that fraudsters have infiltrated the process to facilitate car theft and illegal registrations. This concern was heightened after a suspect was caught offering unauthorized tape-lifting services at a car bazaar along Kiambu Road.
DCI Director Amin Mohamed explained that the suspect was arrested on Thursday after a buyer, who had just purchased a vehicle as a Valentine’s Day gift, attempted to verify its details. The buyer was directed to the suspect, who falsely claimed to work at DCI headquarters.
The fraud was uncovered when the buyer, unable to locate the suspect at the agreed location, approached a genuine CSI officer conducting a tape-lift examination nearby. The officer, a Chief Inspector of Police, had never heard of the supposed colleague the suspect claimed to be.
Coincidentally, the impersonator called the buyer while he was with the real officer, making it clear he was dealing with a con artist. The buyer played along, and detectives accompanied him in a government vehicle to the suspect’s location.
As soon as the suspect began the tape-lifting process, he realized the vehicle bore a visible government (GK) sticker, exposing him. He was immediately arrested.
Upon searching his belongings, officers recovered 19 vehicle logbooks, 35 fraudulent tape-lift reports, assorted driving licenses, and national ID cards. The suspect was arraigned at Kahawa Law Courts on Friday and granted a Ksh500,000 bond or an alternative Ksh100,000 cash bail.
Investigators believe the suspect is part of a larger organized crime ring involved in vehicle theft and fraudulent registrations. A team from the Serious Crimes Unit is now conducting a deeper probe into the matter.
DCI has urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the anonymous Fichua kwa DCI toll-free number 0800-722-203.
