Malawi police arrest Admarc fraudsters

Malawi police in Blantyre arrested three people on Saturday after their second attempt to rob Limbe Admarc using an alleged forged cheque worth K11.2 million (about $28 750) failed.

The alleged fraudsters also on September 6 robbed the Admarc of rice and groundnuts after they presented a suspected forged cheque worth K11.5 million, according to police.

After the first robbery on September 6, Admarc officials went to a bank to deposit the K11.2 million worth cheque but were told it was forged.

The same suspected fraudsters, apparently believing that their first move was successful, telephoned Admarc last Saturday to find out if the food items were still available and were told they were available, according to Southern Region Police spokesperson Nicholas Gondwa.

Gondwa said the alleged fraudsters drove to Limbe Admarc, and by then, police were informed about the impending visit by the suspected robbers.

Gondwa said: “The [alleged] robbers arrived at Limbe Admarc before police made it there. They presented another K11.2 million cheque and were waiting to collect the goods.

“Admarc officials, who alerted us, delayed the process to release the goods and the robbers sensed something. They quickly got out of the scene and jumped into their vehicle and sped off.”

Gondwa said the robbers who were using the vehicle’s registration MZ 5258, Toyota Sprinter, were traced and found driving along Masauko Chipembere Highway at Kristwick, towards Blantyre Central Business District (CBD).

Gondwa said a chase ensued and the suspects were chased down Chilomoni Township Road via Namiwawa.

The police publicist said: “At Namiwawa Puma Service Station, the suspects’ car rammed into a minibus and a pole. The suspects opened doors and started running away, but police, assisted by civilians at the scene, apprehended the suspects.

“The three have been identified as George Mhango, 45, Blessings Mtika, 35 and Blessings Banda, 23. They have been charged with forgery, uttering a false document and obtaining goods by false pretence.”