Police in Mzuzu are keeping in custody Stanley Nkhoma, 25 of Nthunga Village in Mzimba for allegedly attempting to dupe Mchengautuba CCAP church.

National Police Spokesperson Rhoda Manjolo confirmed of the development in an interview with the Press.

Manjolo said on October 25, 2015 at about 09:00hrs Nkhoma went to Mchengautuba CCAP church and presented himself as a Satanist who had gone there for a mission.

The suspect revealed to the church that he was unable to fulfil his mission because of the powerful prayers he was prayed for by elders.

After the prayers, he begged for transport money to Lilongwe where he alleged to have come from and touched by the story the congregation contributed money amounting to K18, 470.00.

But as he was about to be given the money, one of the church members discovered him as a trickster and was arrested on spot.

Nkhoma is believed to have been visiting many churches in Mzuzu and Lilongwe doing the same tricks.