The poster claimed that the investigative agency was pursuing one Bellamkonda Ram Prasad, deemed a wanted man having escaped custody in India.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has denied reports that it has launched a manhunt for an Indian national accused of masterminding an international human trafficking syndicate involved in organ harvesting.
The DCI on Tuesday, January 7 flagged as fake a poster that went viral on social media. The poster claimed that the investigative agency was pursuing one Bellamkonda Ram Prasad, deemed a wanted man having escaped custody in India.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is seeking the public’s help in providing information that could help in the arrest of Bellamkonda Ram Prasad alias “Pratapan”.
DCI detectives on bikes during a rigorous mobile tactical operations training offered to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit’s – Emergency Response Team (ERT) on April 21, 2023. /DCI
“Prasad is believed to be the mastermind behind the international human trafficking network involved in organ harvesting. Prasad escaped police custody in India where he had been held for organ harvesting crimes,” the fake poster read in part.
The misleading post additionally claimed that Prasad was believed to have sneaked into Kenya on December 19, 2024, and operated a kidney harvesting syndicate. His victims were claimed to be young men and women below the age of 30.
The fake social media post also alleged that the DCI would offer a cash reward to any member of the public who reported Ram Prasad’s whereabouts to them, warning that his ability to communicate in English would allow him to blend in with members of the public.
“A significant cash reward will be provided to anyone with credible information leading to the suspect’s arrest. The suspect is of Indian nationality and speaks Hindi and English. Information on the suspect’s whereabouts can be reported confidentially to the anonymous DCI #FichuakwaDCI hotline 0800722203 or the police hotlines 999, 911 or 112 or to any police station in the republic,” added the fake poster.
DCI was forced to clarify the matter after a section of social media users raised concerns over the post, sparking fear among some Kenyans who questioned why the said person was yet to be arrested.
“Kenyan authorities suspect an Indian Mafia syndicate is exploiting the vulnerable. Interpol is pursuing Bellamkonda Ram Prasad, accused of trafficking Kidneys for 2000 Dollars. Autopsies have revealed missing kidneys in young victims,” an X user spreading the fake news posted.
Notably, this comes after police in Kapsabet arrested former Kisumu nominated Member of County Assembly (MCA) Carren Atieno Muga in connection with a suspected organ harvesting syndicate.
In a statement on Sunday, January 5, the National Police Service (NPS) noted the suspected syndicate is tied to the gruesome murder of a man in Nandi County, who was beheaded and his private parts mutilated.
The police stated that Muga is the mother of one of the prime suspects in the murder of the victim.
“She was arrested along Chemelil-Miwani-Kisumu road in a suspected organ harvesting case as she was fleeing her residence for fear of being lynched by agitated members of the public, and her motor vehicle make Toyota Harrier detained as an exhibit at Kapsabet Police Station,” NPS stated.Â
Picture of a crime scene. /PEXELS