Scam Artist's "Soft Life" Hits Hard Knocks: Fake Journalist Exposed

A 30-year-old guy who sought the "soft life" by posing as well-known journalists has ended up on the wrong side of a jail door in a twist befitting a television drama. In Kikuyu, Kiambu County, Julius Gacheru Wangari, better known by his ruses as Chris, was apprehended from his hiding in the Zambezi region. He had what can only be described as a stunning fall from faux grace when the devices he employed for his huge ambitions were seized.

The story started in 2023 when Wangari chose to assume the persona of renowned journalist and Spice FM radio anchor Eric Latiff of Standard Group. After every Situation Room show, Wangari would pretend to be a devoted disciple and write "thank you" notes to Latiff's famous guests. But this was only the hook.

After Wangari had softened his targets, the real game started. His victims included a Principal Secretary, a senior KPLC director, an official at the Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya, and others. They were tricked into thinking Latiff required "kakitu nimekwama mahali," which is slang for a brazen request for money. They sent thousands of shillings in cash to the imposter, who was very eager to accept it.

Wangari's web of deceit was beautifully weaved, but surprisingly weak. She claimed to be a former employee of a religious FM radio station and to hold a journalism diploma from a reputable college.

Important evidence was discovered on him after the arrest, including the SIM cards he used to send and receive money from his marks. They are now being examined in-depth by the Digital Forensic Laboratory.

The Nairobi Regional Headquarters detectives have been given seven days by the Milimani court to conclude their investigations, which is a fitting conclusion to this event. Our "soft-life seeker" will need to adapt to the harsh realities of a municipal police cell in the meanwhile.