Police in Lilongwe have arrested two men, who trick people using the common phrases in town ‘ mwandikumbukira’, a tag to mean familiarity with people they have been tricking.

They have been identified as Mike Thawale, 38, and James Magaleta, 33.

The station’s detectives who were on patrol duties, bumped into the suspects while busy trying to steal from a certain visitor who took an early bus into to the city to shop.

To steal from people, the tricksters mostly approach unsuspecting victims, claiming they know each other by saying “mwandikumbukira” meaning, have you remembered me?.

This is deliberately done to get possession of the money, claiming they are capable of helping the shoppers in purchasing goods at cheaper prices. Then they systematically exchange the envelope or plastic bag containing the cash with the one containing fake banknotes.

The suspects started stealing using such tricks in 2020, and 2008 respectively.

They have been convicted more than once before, for commiting similar offences.

On those occasions, the courts ordered them to pay back the stolen cash to the victims, in addition to a six-month suspended sentence.

They will appear in court soon to answer a case of theft.

Thawale, hails from Lipoche Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Chikowi, Zomba, whilst Magaleta comes from Chipologa Village, T/A Kawinga in Machinga District.

Source:MIJ Online