DCI Warns Kenyans Over Rising Crimes Linked to Online Dating
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has urged Kenyans to take extra precautions when meeting strangers for the first time, particularly those contacted through online platforms, citing a rise in crimes linked to such encounters.
In an advisory issued on Saturday, 14 February, the agency warned that meetings arranged through dating applications and social media have increasingly resulted in theft, assault and, in some cases, fatal attacks. The statement was framed around Valentine’s Day, acknowledging the appeal of forming new relationships while highlighting the risks associated with digital interactions.
“As Cupid’s arrows fly across digital skies, we gently remind you that online connections can spark beautiful beginnings, but they also conceal shadows,” the DCI said.
Detectives advised members of the public to arrange first meetings in public, well-lit places. They also recommended informing a trusted friend or relative of the time and location of the meeting and leaving immediately if they feel unsafe.
The warning follows a series of violent incidents linked to online liaisons. Between 2024 and 2025, Kenya recorded an increase in killings involving individuals who were reportedly lured to short-term rental properties by suspects using false identities. Several of the cases involved young women and ended in murder.
The DCI said the advisory was intended to encourage vigilance while recognising that online platforms have become a common means of social interaction. It noted that while technology offers opportunities to form new connections, it has also created openings for criminal activity.
The agency urged the public to remain alert and to prioritise personal safety when arranging meetings with people they do not know.
