Conmen arrested with fake oil in Kampala
Mar 24, 2007
THE Police in Kampala have bust a racket of conmen defrauding residents in fake oil deals.
By Herbert Ssempogo
THE Police in Kampala have bust a racket of conmen defrauding residents in fake oil deals.
Jinja Road Police Station chief Joel Aguma on Thursday said the men, who often speak in phony accents, pose as dealers in “heavy duty industrial oil.â€
“Once they have identified a victim, they call him claiming that they can offer the oil,†Aguma said, adding that each bottle is sold at $1,400 (about sh2.4m).
The fraudsters often claim to be calling from Kenya. They also promise to fly in a chemist to confirm that the oil, usually packed in silver bottles, is genuine.
A ‘chemist’ often tests the oil and confirms that it is genuine, according to Aguma.
“The ignorant people surrender their money thinking that they will make profits after selling the oil,†Aguma said.
Over six people in the city have lost money ranging from sh2m to sh10m to the men, according to the Police.
Aguma said they had impounded several bottles containing the ‘oil’ in Kabalagala, a Kampala city suburb.
He warned the public about an upsurge in the number of conmen, who target wealthy businesspeople.
“People should be vigilant and report all individuals suspected of being involved in such activities. Money should also be guarded jealously so that it is not lost to criminals like these ones,†he appealed.
The first three suspects were arrested a week ago while their accomplices, Sula Lugoye, Moses Muwonge and Richard Muwonge were arrested last weekend.
Aguma said the trio appeared at Nakawa court on Wednesday over charges of obtaining money by false pretense.
The other suspects arrested by Military Police earlier after defrauding a businessman of over sh6.4m are Peter Kaweesa alias Alex Kashoma, Peter Kisitu and Abdul Ssenkungu.
Katwe Police station commander Amos Gumisiriza revealed that Kaweesa, Kisitu and Ssenkungu were being interrogated at the Central Police Station.
THE Police in Kampala have bust a racket of conmen defrauding residents in fake oil deals.
Jinja Road Police Station chief Joel Aguma on Thursday said the men, who often speak in phony accents, pose as dealers in “heavy duty industrial oil.â€
“Once they have identified a victim, they call him claiming that they can offer the oil,†Aguma said, adding that each bottle is sold at $1,400 (about sh2.4m).
The fraudsters often claim to be calling from Kenya. They also promise to fly in a chemist to confirm that the oil, usually packed in silver bottles, is genuine.
A ‘chemist’ often tests the oil and confirms that it is genuine, according to Aguma.
“The ignorant people surrender their money thinking that they will make profits after selling the oil,†Aguma said.
Over six people in the city have lost money ranging from sh2m to sh10m to the men, according to the Police.
Aguma said they had impounded several bottles containing the ‘oil’ in Kabalagala, a Kampala city suburb.
He warned the public about an upsurge in the number of conmen, who target wealthy businesspeople.
“People should be vigilant and report all individuals suspected of being involved in such activities. Money should also be guarded jealously so that it is not lost to criminals like these ones,†he appealed.
The first three suspects were arrested a week ago while their accomplices, Sula Lugoye, Moses Muwonge and Richard Muwonge were arrested last weekend.
Aguma said the trio appeared at Nakawa court on Wednesday over charges of obtaining money by false pretense.
The other suspects arrested by Military Police earlier after defrauding a businessman of over sh6.4m are Peter Kaweesa alias Alex Kashoma, Peter Kisitu and Abdul Ssenkungu.
Katwe Police station commander Amos Gumisiriza revealed that Kaweesa, Kisitu and Ssenkungu were being interrogated at the Central Police Station.