Rwanda National Police (RNP) is holding four men, who attempted to defraud Kenya Commercial Bank of Rwf30.5 million using a forged cheque.
Police identified the suspects as Gilbert Mazimpaka, the mastermind, Jean Phillipe Makombe and Jean Claude Kayiranga, and a cab driver who was driving the trio.
Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Celestin Twahirwa, said Mazimpaka, on Friday at around midday, walked into KCB main branch in the city centre and deposited a forged cheque instructing a transfer of Rwf 30.5million from one of the client’s account, to his account in Bank of Kigali.
“As soon the transfer was authorized, the victim received SMS alert indicating the transfer of the money from his account and hurriedly notified the KCB that he had not made or instructed any transactions, and KCB immediately inform BK and the Police about the shoddy transfer,” said ACP Twahirwa.
“We immediately worked with the banks to have the suspects arrested. Around 2pm, Mazimpaka arrived at BK main branch in a cab with Makombe and Kayiranga, to withdraw the money. Police had already deployed officers, who arrested them as they attempted to withdraw the money,” he added.
The suspects had already withdrawn Rwf2 million using mobile banking, at the time of their arrest.
ACP Twahirwa said that the would-be victim still has a cheque leaflet with its exact serial number that the suspects had forged.
Police records indicate that Kayiranga was in September last year arrested over a similar crime while Police had been searching for Makombe still over bank robbery related cases.
“The suspects have all admitted to these crimes and their case files will soon be forwarded to the prosecution after thorough investigations. We highly appreciate how the two banks reacted instantly, informed us and facilitated the arrest. The public should always share information on any dubious practices, that’s how we can collectively keep ahead of criminals and thwart their evil plans ,” ACP Twahirwa said.
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