Police arrests alleged head of group that kidnapped Indian citizen in Maputo – O País

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Police arrests alleged head of group that kidnapped Indian citizen in Maputo – O País

1:38 CAT | 12 Jul 2021

Photo: O País

The National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) last week detained the alleged head of the group of four criminals who kidnapped an Indian citizen in Maputo on June 14 this year.

The man in question is allegedly a member of the group of individuals detained in Maputo for the past two weeks. SERNIC suspects that the group is involved in additional crimes, still to be determined.

“This citizen was a link between Mozambican criminals and the Indian masterminds. He was friendly with some citizens of Indian nationality, and to carry out his crime, he contacted national citizens who, unfortunately, are agents of SERNIC and the PRM,” SERNIC spokesperson Hilário Lole disclosed.

Speaking to the press, the accused would neither accept nor deny the accusations, but confined himself to asking journalists sarcastic questions.

On the same occasion, SERNIC presented two young people accused of online fraud. Using fake social networks profiles, they advertised vehicles at attractive prices, but only to deceive.
Lole said that the corporation had received more than seven complaints from citizens who had fallen prey to the scam, losing amounts ranging from 150,000 to 300,000 meticais in each process.

“Of the five individuals involved, these two young detainees used fake Facebook profiles to supposedly sell cars at discounted prices to people who made deposits into bank accounts, but didn’t receive any vehicles, let alone recover their money,” the spokesperson related.

“The other three members of the gang, still at large, have already been identified and, at this moment, steps are underway with a view to neutralising them,” Lole added.
“We also have information concerning the collusion of some bank employees, who facilitated the speedy transfer of amounts and the creation of accounts with false data. We are already on the trail of these individuals,” he concluded.

SERNIC also presented a citizen from the city of Nampula, apprehended in Maputo for having written a bad check for the payment of merchandise.

“I had no money at the time,” the accused explained, “and the person did not want to understand. That’s why I wrote this check. But the matter has already been resolved with the person involved, so I don’t know why I’m being detained,” the accused complained.

In all, SERNIC made five arrests last week, including scams, abductions and the issuing of unpaid checks. The corporation promised to continue to work on clearing up the many outstanding crimes and holding the perpetrators accountable.

By Inalcide Uamusse

Source: O País