Kenyans, on Thursday, questioned the authenticity of an incident involving eight Kenyans linked to a USD 439 trillion scam targetting two foreign businessmen.
The case gained nationwide attention owing to the colossal amount of money involved, as it was higher than the United States and China's economies combined.
One of the suspects involved in the scheme was linked to an individual running a Facebook profile which claimed that he was working at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
The account depicted a cover photo of the suspect shaking hands with Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi and a logo of the Prime Cabinet Secretary's office as his profile picture.
Salim Swaleh, the director of Press in the Prime CS's office, while speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, however, denied claims that the suspect was his colleague.
"He is a con, he doesn't work with the PCS," he stated.
Swaleh also clarified the cover photo of the suspect's page, pointing out that Mudavadi meets several people due to the nature of his work. He added that a photo cannot be adduced to prove the suspect works at the PCS's office.
"You know the boss meets so many people every time, so a photo is never proof one works with you or even knows you at a personal level," he noted.
A debate had ensued online for the better part of Wednesday night, with Kenyans poking holes at the credibility of officials working in high-ranking offices.
Some also claimed that such a case would not stand if it involved a high-ranking official.
The eight suspects involved in the scam were arrested at a warehouse along Mombasa Road on Wednesday while sealing the deal with the two Dutch nationals.
DCI indicated that the business deal involved a cash-on-transit deal involving USD 439 trillion destined for Dubai from the Central Bank of Togo. Officers privy to the matter have launched investigations to uncover more details about the deal.
The detectives also clarified the amount in question, stating that they shared the information as they received it.
“It is Netherlands authorities who gave us the valuation of the scam. We were also shocked,” DCI responded.
