What to expect if you can’t prove you own your phone—DCI Kenya

Kenyans will now have to be extra careful when purchasing electronic devices from sellers without a physical address following a cautionary post by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Did you get a receipt after purchasing your phone? Do you remember where you placed it? If not, then you could find yourself in trouble soon.

The DCI on Sunday, October 6 warned that if an investigation finds you in possession of stolen devices, you will suffer the immediate consequences as the actual thief.

“CAUTION!!! The Public is hereby WARNED never to buy any Electronic Gadget including Laptops, Mobile Phones, TV Sets etc from an Individual or a Dealer who has no fixed Physical Address; Identifiable trading Building/ Premises with requisite authorization documents that are conspicuously displayed including Licenses, Permits & other Local and/or National Approvals,” said the DCI through their Twitter handle.

“Being found with suspected stolen property, you suffer immediate consequences of the Actual Criminal, which may escalate to Death Sentences,” continued DCI. 

Therefore, if the original owner of the phone was attacked or killed, the person found in possession will take full responsibility unless further investigations lead to the real criminal.

This is dangerous because, if the phone was acquired through armed robbery and led to the death of the owner, then the person found in possession of the gadget will face those charges.

“Don’t buy a device of a fellow Murdered or Maimed Kenyan. When Police Forensically Investigate & find you in possession of such said devices, by the time it is established that you were not involved in the crime” added the DCI.

This could attract a sentence of up to life imprisonment or even death.

The DCI, however, added that in case one doubts the source of their phones they can secretly report to the nearest police station.

“In case of any doubt that you may be harbouring any gadget of suspicious source, Please and in Confidence report at any Police Station or DCI Office” concluded the DCI.