By Hastings Yobe
A 22-year-old Mzuzu University student has been arrested for creating a fake Facebook account and swindling millions of kwacha from unsuspecting Malawians.
Kenneth Feston, an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) student, was arrested on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at the Mzuzu University Campus after a complaint was lodged by Triephornia Thomson Mpinganjira, whose name was being used fraudulently on the social media platform.
According to the police, Feston used the fake account to lure victims into sending him money by promising them hefty returns through a "Fidelity Savings Project" and other lucrative schemes. He allegedly used phone number 0991203482 to receive upfront payments from his victims.
Feston has been charged with three counts: Theft by trick, Spamming, and Obtaining money by false pretences. He hails from Mwankhumwa Village, Traditional Authority Mphuka in Thyolo District.
The Malawi Police Service (MPS) is urging all those who transacted with Feston using the mentioned phone number and believe they are victims to report to their nearest police station.
In a warning to the public, the police cautioned against sending money to people they only communicate with online, especially in deals that seem too good to be true, to avoid falling prey to tricksters.
Senior Superintendent Peter Kalaya confirmed the arrest and urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious online activities to the authorities.
The arrest serves as a reminder of the growing threat of online scams and the importance of being cautious when engaging in online transactions.
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