The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has raised concerns over the flashy lifestyles displayed online by Kenya’s so-called “sharp boys” and girls, particularly those associated with forex, cryptocurrency and other money-making schemes.
In a statement shared on September 28, the DCI described an online world dominated by forex trading, crypto, arbitrage, “sure-bet” betting, trading platforms, glowing wallets and Telegram signals, with the US dollar often presented as a symbol of financial success.
The agency questioned the practice of publicly displaying apparent wealth on social media, noting that people ordinarily keep private details such as their salaries and financial information away from public scrutiny.
According to the DCI, dashboards showing huge profits are often part of the image portrayed by some of the individuals.
Luxury vehicles also feature prominently in the displays, although the agency claimed that many of the cars shown are hired.
The DCI also highlighted other symbols associated with the lifestyle, including stacks of cash, expensive drinks, shisha, nights out, designer clothing and international trips.
“Meanwhile, their lifestyle drips with premium cognac, Bel Air Rosé showers, thick shisha fog, stacks of cash, luxury cars (mostly hired), nights out, international trips on their profiles, and hedonistic weekends in upscale Nairobi spots,” the DCI said.
However, the agency warned that the glamorous image portrayed online may not always reflect legitimate sources of income.
DCI Lists Alleged Criminal Schemes
The DCI said the darker side of some of these activities includes trafficking, online scams, phishing links, fake investment platforms, fake dashboards, fake cryptocurrency wallets, identity fraud, deepfakes and money laundering schemes commonly referred to as “washwash”.
“Yet the other side is heavy: trafficking, online scams, selling air, phishing links, fake dashboards, fake wallets, identity fraud, deepfakes and washwash,” the directorate stated.
The agency warned that some people may be drawn into such schemes after being convinced by displays of apparent wealth, while others are allegedly recruited to bring additional victims into the networks.
The DCI summed up its warning with the phrase, “Easy money, easy go,” while also invoking the Swahili saying, “Mchimba kisima huingia mwenyewe.”
The directorate urged Kenyans to remain vigilant when dealing with online money-making opportunities and to be cautious about platforms, individuals and investment schemes promising unusually quick or easy returns.
