Mwanza police arrest 'fake attorneys' for Sh7.9bil fraud

Mwanza. Police are holding a Mabatini resident on allegedly obtaining Sh7.9 million after pretending to be a public attorney.

Mwanza Regional Police Commander Ahmedi Msangi said the suspect was arrested on Friday at Nyamagana District Magistrates’ Court, where he was soliciting money from people.

He said the suspect also solicited money by pretending to be an independent advocate and an official from Mwanza Regional Commissioner.

“He solicited money from Agata Simon, a resident of Bagamoyo. He promised her that he would defend her in a case. He also conned other people from Arusha and Mwanza,” said Mr Msangi.

He explained that police were also holding another person and were looking for other people, who were collaborating with the first suspect to con people.

Speaking about how she was conned a Mwanza resident, Ms Asia Abdallah said: “We sold a piece of land to someone but he didn’t pay us so we decided to take him to court. When we arrived there someone, who identified himself as a private advocate offered to represent us and we paid him Sh700, 000 but we never saw him again.” According to Mr Msangi, the suspects will appear before the court after the completion of investigations.