Police arrest man suspected of stealing K1 million at ATM

Malawi Police in Lilongwe are keeping in custody a man suspected to have stolen money amounting to K 1 million at Auto Teller Machine using another person’s card.

The suspect identified as Kingsley Gondwe, 44 years, is alleged to have stolen the money between 17th to 20th January this year using an ATM card belonging to Mary Chinseu.

Police prosecutor Nason Juwayiyi told the Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate court that on 17th January 2017, Gondwe went to Lilongwe Standard Bank to withdraw money where he met Chinseu.

“The woman was having problems to withdraw money from the ATM when Gondwe came to her aid.

After assisting the woman, he allegedly exchanged his ATM card. Since the woman was busy putting money in her handbag, she did not realise that she had been given the wrong card,” Juwayiyi said.

He further told the court that it was until 20th January when Chinseu was having problems to withdraw money when she realised that she was using a card which was not hers.

She reported the matter to the bank and the matter was referred to Lilongwe Police for investigations.

The police arrested the suspect on 22nd January on charges of fraud which is contrary to Section 319 (c) of Penal Code.

The accused pleaded not guilty in court during the first hearing. But during the second hearing, lawyer to the accused Gift Katundu surprisingly told the court that his client has already paid back part of the money amounting to K460, 000 hence the need to consider him for bail.

The presiding magistrate has since adjourned the case to 4th May 2017 in order to pave way for the state to parade the remaining witnesses.

Gondwe comes from Chiwaulira Village, Traditional Authority Jalavikuwa in Mzimba District.

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