Residents of Kikuyu sub-county have been cautioned against engaging in pyramid schemes which are only meant to rip them off their hard earned cash.
The warning comes after an elderly woman allegedly withdrew Sh185, 000 from her savings account believing that it would be doubled only to realise that she had been conned.
Speaking in his office on Wednesday, Kikuyu OCPD Mutune Maweu said the woman reported the incident after the criminals lied to her that the money would double if she put in a big bet.
The police boss said the criminals have conned several people especially women who are their prime target.
He said in February this year, they arrested seven suspects for engaging in the crime.
He said the seven had taken over Sh780,000 from innocent Kenyans who believed their criminal deeds.
Maweu said cases of pyramid schemes had reduced after they arrested the seven who were operating in Kikuyu.
However, he said some criminals had crept into the area are now getting money from residents illegally.
In most of these pyramid schemes, the criminals work as a group of about seven to 15 people and they use very convincing language to lure people and women especially. We are now on the alert and we are going to curb these criminal activities," added Maweu.
He also revealed that residents should be very vigilant and cautious with whoever they communicate with stating that the criminals also use the internet and mobile phones to advance their criminal activities.
"I want to also put those con artists on notice that the law will soon catch up with them. We also call on residents to help in the arrest of these criminals by providing relevant information that can lead to their arrest," said Maweu.