Police in the City of Kigali have arrested a man suspected of posing as a broker for the Traffic and Road Safety department and conning several people of their money. The suspect, identified as Eric Mpaka, was arrested recently following several complaints filed by people whom he had allegedly conned promising to facilitate them acquire a driver’s licence. According to the Spokesperson for the Traffic and Road Safety Department, Emmanuel Kabanda, “Mpaka was masquerading as Traffic Police broker and was calling people claiming that Rwanda National Police was offering a promotion on the registration and giving out drivers’ licences.” “He was telling them that he would also register them on Irembo platform,” Kabanda said. He was charging Rwf35,000 per head claiming to be a “promotional rate.” Mpaka, who admitted to the alleged crime, said he was telling the victims that he had connections within the Police and that he would use his influence to get them licences. Kabanda said: “Some of the victims Mpaka was targeting are his former schoolmates partly because he knew their weakness; he was giving them fake codes.” “The suspect is currently detained at Kimihurura Police Station but investigations are still underway to identify and arrest anyone that could be involved in this scam.” “I wish to inform the public that Rwanda National Police has no brokers; public services or drivers’ licences in particular, are processed and acquired individually; registration for a driver’s licence is free of charge and anyone charging money is defrauding you and we appeal to anyone that encounters such to always inform police for immediate appropriate action,” Kabanda said. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
