Zomba trickster arrested after swindling K268,500
Police in Zomba are keeping in custody a 33-year-old man on suspicion he stole K268, 500 from three people through trickery.
The suspect, Emmanuel Sambo, hails from Chinkhobwe Village, Traditional Authority Mwase in Kasungu District.
Eastern Region Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent Nicholus Gondwa said Sambo had advertised two false companies Spars Food Supplies, and Grains Properties Limited looking for drivers and suppliers of food stuffs.
Gondwa said the adverts appeared in the local papers of The Nation dated October 7, 2010 and Monday July 9, 2011; and in one of the Malawi News edition.
“Responding to the adverts, Father Philip Mumbulu, a priest in Zomba and Mrs. Jean Mbekeani of Blantyre applied separately to the companies to supply food stuffs like maize, pigeon peas and beans while Miss Grace Zingwe, a teacher, applied for the post of a driver as advertised,” he said.
Gondwa said the suspect also asked the applicants to deposit money as surety using different account numbers and names.
He said Father Mumbulu deposited K198, 500.00 in account no. 01771308795820 in the name of Mtewa Sambo, at Opportunity Investment Bank of Malawi (OIBM), and that Mrs. Mbekeani deposited K50, 000.00 into an account number 0140516359100 in the name of Alex Noel Sambo at Standard Bank.
The Eastern Region Police Publicist also said the third complainant, Miss Zingwe, deposited K20, 000.00 to secure a job of a driver for her brother in account number 555211001 in the name of E. Kaferapanjira at First Merchant Bank.
Gondwa said the matter was reported to police and investigations had shown the suspect advertised false companies to rip off unsuspecting applicants by tricks.
He said Sambo was arrested and charged with the offence of theft by trick, contrary to the penal code.
