The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has turned its attention to Kenya’s so-called “sharp boys” and girls, highlighting the flashy lifestyles people linked to forex, cryptocurrency, and other money-making schemes display online.
In a statement shared on September 28, the DCI described a world built around forex, crypto, arbitrage games, sure-bet betting, trading, glowing wallets and Telegram signals, with the US dollar presented as a major symbol of financial success.
“These people live deep inside a world of forex storms, crypto shadows, arbitrage games, sure-bet betting, trading, glowing wallets, Telegram signals, and the almighty USD, which remains the real flex,” the statement read.
According to the directorate, the online displays can make followers question why they are not also making similar amounts of money.
The agency noted that some people follow these individuals online after seeing the lifestyles presented on social media.
Flashy Displays of Wealth Online
The DCI pointed to dashboards that appear to show profits as part of the image presented by the “sharp boys” and girls.
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It questioned the practice of publicly displaying such wealth, comparing the online displays to the ordinary practice of keeping details such as personal salaries private.
Luxury cars also feature prominently in the lifestyle being presented, although the DCI noted that most of the vehicles displayed are hired.
Other elements the agency highlighted include stacks of cash, premium cognac, Bel Air Rosé, thick shisha fog, nights out, and international trips displayed on social media profiles.
“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.”
Upscale Nairobi destinations also feature in the lifestyle, alongside designer clothing and accessories.
The DCI described the overall aesthetic as featuring a gleaming vehicle, stacks of cash, bottles arranged for display, and captions suggesting the money shown represents an ordinary withdrawal.
What the DCI Says Lies Behind the Flex
Beyond the displays of wealth, the DCI listed several activities it associated with the darker side of this online world.
These include trafficking, online scams, selling air, phishing links, fake dashboards, fake wallets, identity fraud, deepfakes and washwash.
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The agency said some individuals refer to these activities as smart money or arbitrage. However, it warned that behind some of the displays are social engineering, fake platforms and schemes through which people are defrauded.
“Yet the other side is heavy: trafficking, online scams, selling air, phishing links, fake dashboards, fake wallets, identity fraud, deepfakes and washwash,” the directorate revealed.
The DCI also noted that some people fall victim to the schemes, while others end up pulling additional people into them.
Further, the directorate summed up its warning with the phrase, “Easy money, easy go,” while cautioning that such activities can have lasting consequences.
It also invoked the Swahili saying, “Mchimba kisima huingia mwenyewe,” in reference to the consequences faced by those involved in such activities.
The DCI concluded by urging members of the public to stay alert and safe, saying Kenya is safe when individuals are safe, and warning that “DCI is watching.”
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