Hit and don’t run: 10 simple criminal tactics

Sleek criminals now consider use of force, firearm and other forms of violence as ‘old school’ and take pride in making their work as smooth and ‘bloodless’ as possible. This naturally does not include hired assassins. The criminals have become so innovative, they are fast upgrading their tactics to take down a number of victims before they are discovered.

Unfortunately, the National Police Service is reactive in nature, which limits its ability to stop crimes before they occur. The lack of equipment, resources, and inadequate training and personnel have only made matters even more difficult for the police. Car owners and those who lose their IDs are the worst hit, especially if the loss is not reported. Here are the new tactics criminals are employing that you should watch out for:

1. Keep the car boot clean

This is a favourite of carjackers. The simple ploy involves knocking your car from behind. Knowing Nairobi motorists, the moment they are hit or just ‘scratched,’ the first reaction is to stop the car and jump out in anger. The preoccupation is always to lay blame on the offending driver, so that an ‘amicable’ agreement can be reached.

This is what the smart criminal expect and there will always be about three to four occupants in the car that knocks the targeted victim from behind. They will step out after the ‘accident’ pretending to be sorry. But in a split second, the tables will be turned as they draw guns and turn on the victim, who just a moment ago was angrily pointing out the incompetence of the offending driver with the belief that the law was on his side. The hapless victim is then bundled into one of the cars and the stolen vehicle either used to commit robberies or taken to a garage for dismantling. This lot of gangsters rarely kill – they either abandon victims, their damaged cars or both.  This crime is common at roundabouts and when traffic is thin.

2. Slow down, pedestrian crossing

 The same gangsters can change tact and waylay motorists at speed bumps on less busy roads. As a target slows down, they pounce at the driver’s window while brandishing guns. These gunmen hit at lone motorists who are ordered to stop and co-operate. They threaten to shoot if their orders are defied before ordering their victims to surrender the ignition key.

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Most victims are pushed to the back seat and abandoned in deserted spots, though there have been a few cases of them getting killed. Paul Ngugi Kariuki, a land dealer who was facing a Sh95 million land fraud case was shot more than 10 times at a road bump along Forest Road in Nairobi 2015.

3. Cut-out at the car wash

Your favourite car wash guy could be part of a syndicate of car thieves. Too much trust can be costly. Motorists are known to leave their ignition keys with car wash attendant as they settle for a drink or meal as their vehicles are cleaned - this always takes between 30 minutes and an hour. A common question from the car wash guy is “gari iko na cut-out?” If your answer is ‘yes,’ he would probably ask you to show him the location of that tiny cut-out button in the car.

Unknown to you, that could be how you easily hand the car to thieves.  If he is part of a criminal ring, he will pass these details to his accomplices. It is the man who washes your car who could also duplicate the keys, simply by making an impression of your key on bar soap.

Armed with the duplicate key and knowledge of the location of the cut-out button, the thieves will easily access your vehicle and drive off without raising suspicions. The theft however will not take place at the car wash. They will most likely pounce and drive off with the vehicle from a parking spot.

4. Exposed handcuffs, pistols

Some criminals pose as police detectives. They will always make sure that their set of handcuffs or pistols are visible to convince unsuspecting victims that they are law enforcers. They strike during the day, executing the crimes from the most unexpected of places, like near a police station or government building. They will accost motorists as if dealing with a ‘suspect’ and lead him to a waiting car ostensibly to be interrogated at a police station.

But as soon as car owner gets into the car, he is subjected to torture as the car speeds off. Police say these criminals are usually brutal and uncaring, with the sole intention of extracting information from victims about their ATM card or mobile money PINs. They usually operate in a gang of four. Two will remain stationed in the car with the victim while the accomplices draw money from the victim’s bank. 

There have been cases of people being held for even two or more days until the money in the victim’s account is exhausted. These police imposters ar notorious within the Central Business District, Kayole, Embakasi, Kasarani and along Mombasa Road.

5. Picking ‘free notes’

5. Other criminals target women’s handbags in the hope of walking away with mobile phones and other electronic gadgets. They operate during the day from secluded areas. They will trick a victim by dropping wads of notes on the ground. As the unsuspecting victim picks the ‘free money’ the contents her bag will meanwhile be emptied from behind.

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6. Borrowing on the cheap

Lost or stolen national Identification Cards (IDs) can be a useful documents for making a quick buck. The original photo of the real owner is removed and replaced with the photo of the fraudster. The thief then uses the fake ID, which has his photo but bearing names of a different person to commit a crime. These are serious fraudsters who use the forged ID to engage in big-time transactions like transfer of land or motor vehicles.

One way is to use the ID to hire a car. That gives the thief enough time to forge documents like logbook for the hired car, which he uses to borrow money from shylocks, micro-finance institutions and other money lenders. These crooks collude with corrupt KRA officials to present the forged logbook as an original. The fraud will be detected later, long after the crime has been committed. However, if the loss of the ID had been reported, at least the victim of identity theft will not be considered a suspect. This type of crime is widespread countrywide and it is wise that you report a lost ID lest you find yourself on the wrong side of the law answering to criminal charges.

7. The military by hook or crook

Recruitment for jobs are perfect opportunities for con artists to squeeze millions of shillings from desperate victims. Enrollment into prisons, police, military, Kenya Wildlife Service and National Youth Service do not end without some Kenyan losing money. Parents, relatives, guardians and potential recruits are promised slots with the understanding that they have to cough up a certain amount of money to bribe influential ‘bosses.’ These crooks are savvy, striking the pose of power and connection. Once they have pocketed the money, they vanish into thin air and you will never reach them through the number they had given.

8. Breakdown services anyone?

Your car gets stuck on the road and suddenly a man carrying a Bible appears. He says he’s from maombi, but won’t mind helping you, seeing that you’re alone. Another person soon shows up from nowhere and offers to help push the car off the road. The car is brought to life and they politely ask if you could be kind enough to give them a lift. Of course, you will say yes, these God-fearing guys have just gotten you out of a fix. But not so fast, that Bible is soon replaced with a gun and that is how you’ll kiss your car goodbye.

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9. Give a lift, kwani una wazimu?

Beware of that guy flagging you down for a lift. If he is a thief that has mastered this trick, he will engage you in a hearty conversation as soon as he gets in and thank you profusely for the help. Meanwhile, he will be on his phone updating his accomplices in coded language. Soon a pistol appears from nowhere and you are ordered to cooperate and pull over at a specified area where the other waiting gangsters are picked. You’ll then most likely be kicked out of the vehicle as the motive is usually to steal the car.

10. Jelly tricksters

Another trick criminals employ is the use of either powder or jelly. This trap is laid on motorists who have left their vehicles parked and gone running errands. The car door is smeared with jelly or powder which when touched or inhaled will leave the motorist unconscious after a few minutes. The victim is then unable to drive. The criminals would be trailing the victim and would move swiftly to take control of the car once the victim is knocked out. According to police,  this trick is mainly targetted at female drivers.