Lilongwe Police have apprehended two suspected serial tricksters, Mike Thawale, 38, and James Magaleta, 33, for allegedly swindling unsuspecting victims using the “mwandikumbukira” scam.
The duo was caught by detectives on Thursday at around 6 AM along Kamuzu Procession Road in Lilongwe.
The scam involves approaching victims, claiming to know them, and offering to help them purchase goods at discounted prices. However, they would then swap the cash with fake banknotes.
According to Lilongwe Police’s spokesperson Hastings Chigalu, Magaleta and Thawale have been perpetrating this scam since 2020 and 2008, respectively, and are repeat offenders.
They are expected to appear in court soon to face theft charges.
Thawale hails from Lipoche Village, Traditional Authority Chikowi, Zomba, while Magaleta comes from Chipologa Village, Traditional Authority Kawinga, Machinga District.
