Police launches campaign against fraud

NYARUGENGE - In a bid to curb a steadily growing vice of fraud, the Rwanda National Police (RNP) yesterday launched a campaign against fraudsters. During the launch of the operation, the RNP Spokesperson, Chief Supt. John Uwamungu, said that cases of fraud are on the rise and the public must be aware of those who pledge to deliver services but do not. “This week alone, we have received four different cases of fraud. We have mobile phone conmen, cases of impersonation, people who sell houses that are not theirs and those who offer false tenders.” “Fred Mugisha, a suspect held at Muhima police station, used names of a high government official to con a reputable investor of Rwf40 million. Under this same pretext he hired a car worth US$ 1600, which he did not pay for, to raise his status. He also tactfully collected Rwf4 million from other people in Kibungo,” Uwamungu said. Jean Marie Vianney Hingabugabo, another suspect who is held at Nyamirambo police station also allegedly conspired with another person to sell off a house that did not belong to them.“All I wanted was to earn a commission from both the buyer and the (false) seller. I was so poor and needed this money for survival,” Hingabugabo confessed to The Sunday Times. According to the Police spokesperson, Mugisha together with others like Hingabugabo, Eric Ngirahomvuka, and Eric Mbarushimana who sold off false property, risk a punishment of two to five years imprisonment once found guilty. As the crackdown on fraudsters continues, Uwamungu urged people who have been conned to report the cases to police. He said that silence promotes the vice. “Anyone who seeks a particular service should go through the right procedures. Investors for example should consult the Rwanda Development Board for such information. There are also short phone messages which come from Kenya with numbers like +254. This is fraud,” he advised. In his explanation, the message normally indicates that there is a promotion aimed at awarding the mobile phone owner with free airtime. It then requests the user to send back as much airtime as possible to win bigger values of airtime. He also advised Rwandans to be careful of the people they employ in their homes. Citing last week’s case of a housemaid who disappeared with an infant that was left in her care, he warned against employees who lack identification. He said identification is vital Ends