How 30-Yr-Old Posed As Spice FM's Eric Latiff To Con Ruto PS- DCI

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Wednesday, June 12 arrested a 30-year-old who dared to swindle an unnamed Principal Secretary (PS) in President William Ruto's government using the identity of Spice FM presenter Eric Latiff.

The suspect, DCI revealed in a statement, was accused of siphoning monies from unsuspecting high-ranking personalities by impersonating renowned journalists and show hosts. He is currently in police custody.

He was seized during a raid at his base in the Zambezi area of Kikuyu in Kiambu County, and the communication gadgets used in the scamming mission were seized.

Officers stand guard outside the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road. /NATIONAL POLICE SERVICE

"In the imposture dating back to 2023, the suspect has been personating journalist and radio host Eric Latiff of Standard Group's Spice FM, reaching out to guests hosted by the media personality in his Situation Room show.

"While in the guise, the suspect (who must be a religious follower of all the shows hosted by the complainant) has been sending 'thank you' messages to the well-to-do guests after every show, but just as a pick-up line before embarking on his tactical gambits," the DCI narrated in part.

His targets lost thousands to the get-rich-quick conman posing as Latiff in a bid to solicit money from his high-profile targets.

Other than the PS, other victims included a renowned businessman and politician, a high-ranking director at Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) [now Kenya Power] and an official at Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya, among others.

Upon arrest and brief interrogation, the suspect was alleged to be a diploma holder in journalism from a renowned media institution in the country and previously worked with a religious FM radio.

"Crucial evidence including the SIM cards used to send messages to targeted victims and receive the solicited money was found on him, and has since been surrendered to the Digital Forensic Laboratory for analysis," added the DCI.

Meanwhile, a Milimani court has granted detectives at the Nairobi Regional Headquarters seven days to complete investigations.

Latiff is a seasoned broadcaster and journalist with over 20 years of experience as a media practitioner in radio, TV and digital.

He has experience interviewing top newsmakers and was part of the panel selected to interview Azimio flagbearer Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua on June 28.

Read also: Eric Latiff: From Dumping Engineering To Moderating Presidential Debate

On July 26, 2022, he moderated the Presidential Debate alongside Citizen TV's Yvonne Okwara which only featured President William Ruto. Raila Odinga, his competitor in the August 2022 general elections, was a no-show.

Eric Latiff and Yvonne Okwara during the 2022 Presidential Debate on July 26, 2022. /PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES SERIES