A man posing as a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) forensics expert has been arrested while offering unauthorized tape-lifting services to unsuspecting motorists along Kiambu Road’s Ridgeways Centre. The suspect, identified as Manace Otieno Ayata, was apprehended on February 13 in a well-coordinated police sting operation.
Tape lifting is a forensic procedure used by the DCI to verify vehicle details such as chassis and engine numbers, ensuring they match registration records to prevent fraud and theft. Ayata, however, had no official credentials but allegedly convinced motorists that he was a legitimate officer.
His arrest came after a motorist, eager to authenticate the details of a car he had purchased as a Valentine’s Day gift, was directed to Ayata by the seller. The motorist was asked to contact Ayata at the DCI Headquarters for verification. However, upon arriving at the main entrance, he failed to reach the supposed officer and instead sought assistance from the security personnel, who redirected him to the Forensic Lab.
Upon further inquiry with a real Chief Inspector of Police, the motorist discovered that no one by Ayata’s name was known within the DCI. As fate would have it, Ayata returned the motorist’s call, unknowingly setting himself up for an encounter with actual detectives. Feigning interest, the car owner and a team of police officers arranged to meet Ayata at Ridgeways Centre.
At the agreed location, Ayata began preparing to conduct the tape-lifting process but was swiftly arrested. His realization of the setup became apparent when he noticed a GK (Government of Kenya) sticker on the vehicle used by detectives. Officers conducted a search and recovered 19 vehicle logbooks, 35 tape-lift reports, assorted driving licenses, and national identification cards from the suspect.
DCI’s Serious Crimes Unit has launched a deeper investigation, suspecting Ayata to be part of a larger criminal network involved in vehicle fraud and theft. If proven, his case could lead to the dismantling of an extensive syndicate preying on unsuspecting car buyers.
Ayata was presented before the Kahawa Law Courts on February 14, where he was granted a Ksh.500,000 bond with a similar surety or a Ksh.100,000 cash bail. His case is set for mention on February 28, 2025.
This incident underscores the importance of verifying official services and reporting suspicious activities to law enforcement authorities. Motorists are advised to seek authentication of vehicle documents only through accredited DCI offices to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
