{Police in the City of Kigali have arrested a man suspected of conning several people of their money valued at over Rwf26 million. }
Jean Yves Bizimungu, 35, is believed to have conned the money from several people in Kigali in the last five months.
Bizimungu is said to have been extorting money from people promising to pay back with interest after winning a court case that involves over Rwf200 million.
Police said this was a ‘ghost case’ the suspect was claiming to be battling in a property law suit which he claimed was going to award him the Rwf200 million.
Police Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Celestin Twahirwa, said that the suspect was also impersonating himself as the son of Joseph Nzirorera, a deceased genocide convict.
“He lied to people that he was trying to regain the property of Joseph Nzirorera and that he needed money to begin lawsuits in order to acquire property worth over Rwf200 million. This trick enabled him to defraud some people who believed that he was actually going to pay back after winning this ghost court case,” CSP Twahirwa said.
“He was however reported by some concerned citizens, we followed up and investigated him – until we arrested on Saturday. We have testimonies from victims.”
CSP Twahirwa commended those who tipped off Police leading to his arrest.
He appealed to the general public to beware of such individuals who use several tricks to con them of their hard-earned money and instead rush to inform Police for quick action.
“The public should know that we have people of this character out there. Getting in this kind of business is being shortsighted; instead people should establish ties with legitimate and established businesses,” he noted.
“We have so far arrested a number of conmen and will continue to trace those who conduct this and other criminal activities by working with the general population through community policing.”
Conning is punishable under article 318 of the Rwandan penal code, which stipulates that anyone who obtains the property of another person by fraud or by using false names or qualities, to give rise to hope or fear of harm and obtains a part or whole of a fortune shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of between Rwf3 million to Rwf5 million.
RNP
Leave a Reply