Police in Mangochi have apprehended a 39-year-old man, Billy Adam Mkweta, on allegations that he fraudulently stole a sum of K26 million from Ishmael Milambo, a Malawian businessman based in South Africa.

Mangochi Police Station Public Relations Officer, Amina Tepani Daud said Mkweta was arrested on 3 May 2024, in Zomba where he was hiding, tracked through call logs.

Daudi fruther said that the victim owns a shop selling fridges and has a number of Airtel Money/Mpamba kiosks managed by his wife within Mangochi township.

In mid-last year, the suspect became friends with the victim’s son and intruded into the family, endearing himself to everyone, including the father (victim).

Between December 2023 and February 2024, the victim sent money amounting to K26 million to the suspect after he lied that someone was selling a private cottage along Lake Malawi for K30 million, posing as an agent and even sending fake pictures of the said property to the victim.

During the same period, the suspect also convinced the victim’s wife and made off with two deep freezer fridges and a Huawei P30 Lite cellphone from the shop worth K2.2 million, falsely claiming he had a buyer in Zomba.

After successfully stealing from the family, the suspect cut off communication and went on the run, prompting the victim to return home and report the matter to the police. Investigations were launched, leading to the arrest of the suspect in Zomba through call logs.

He also led the law enforcers to Liwonde where the stolen fridges and cellphone were recovered.

Meanwhile, Mkweta has been charged with theft, and investigations are underway to recover the K26 million.

Billy Adam Mkweta hails from Mkweta village, Traditional Authority Kalembo in Balaka District.