KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Uganda Police Force have confirmed the arrest of a four-member syndicate accused of impersonating the First Daughter, Mrs. Natasha Museveni Karugire, to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The significant breakthrough in the fight against cybercrime was announced by the Police Spokesperson, ACP Kituuma Rusoke, on Monday during the weekly press briefing at Police Headquarters in Kampala.
Kituuma detailed the security agencies’ investigation into an elaborate cybercrime scheme involving fake TikTok and WhatsApp accounts impersonating Natasha Museveni to defraud her followers.
“We have been investigating a cybercrime scheme in which criminals created several fake TikTok and WhatsApp accounts in the name of Mrs. Natasha Museveni Karugire, using her photographs and identity to defraud her followers,” stated ACP Rusoke.
He confirmed that preliminary investigations reveal a calculated pattern of deception where the suspects monitored Mrs. Karugire’s official social media accounts to identify followers seeking financial aid.
Kituuma added that the fraudsters then used fake WhatsApp accounts with her photograph to initiate private communication, impersonating her to gain trust.
According to the spokesperson, the accused promised financial assistance but demanded upfront registration fees, directing victims to send varying amounts to specific telephone numbers.
Acting on gathered intelligence, police operations in Iganga Municipality led to the arrest of four suspects: Isabirye Ashiraf, Mulondo Rahman, Kakaire Zubair, and Egesa Sharif.
ACP Rusoke confirmed that upon arrest, several telephone SIM cards and multiple mobile handsets, believed to have been used in the commission of these crimes, were recovered from the suspects.
“We strongly caution the public against paying money to individuals online who demand upfront fees for assistance, jobs, visas, or scholarships. Genuine providers do not request such payments through social media. The public is encouraged to stay vigilant and to work closely with us in the fight against online crime,” stated ACP Rusoke.
The suspects are currently in custody and will be arraigned before court shortly to face charges related to cyber fraud and impersonation.
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