The Criminal Investigation Directorate-CID arrested and charged a one Mugarura Mike, the prime suspect, and mastermind behind major phone scams in the country.
According to police spokesperson Fred Enanga, the scammers utilized a network of call centers to call potential victims within the country.
“They would obtain personally identifiable information obtained from a number of sources including websites of MDAs, like immigration foreigners with deportation; URA for tax-related scams, NSSF for scams on benefits, UCC with threats of sim card de-registration and other mobile telephone networks, lawyers threatening legal action, etc. As part of the scam, victims were convinced to part with money,” said Enanga.
Enanga further explained that the arrest of Mugarura Mike came following investigations into more than 54 incidents since 2009.
“Notably among them are his personations of Gen. Salim Saleh, Rtd Major Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, Rtd Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye, Professor Ogenga Latigo, The CGP Dr. Byabashaija, the late BOU Governor Mutebile, Hon, Sam Kutesa, Business Mogal Patrick Bitature, Al Hajji Moses Kigongo, Robert Kabushenga (former CEO of Vision Group), Brig. Mayombo’s son, and many other VIPs, whom they personated without their knowledge, and defrauded victims,” Enanga said.
“In the most recent phone scam, they targeted forensic officers in districts and regions. The prime suspect, together with four others, namely; Eletu Moses, Arim Rifad, Mwebembezi Patrick, and Rwothomia Demick, acquired UTL line 0414673797 and MTN line 0776-318856, and started targeting SOCO’s alleged training courses in the UK, USA, and South Africa,” he added.
The police explained that the scammers would demand money for processing travel documents and defraud them.
The prime suspect, Mugarura Mike, was charged with four counts of personation, while the four other accomplices, Eletu Moses, Arim Rifad, Patrick Mwebembezi, and Rwothonia Derrick, were charged with conspiracy to defraud.