Rwanda National Police

A suspected scammer was arrested on Wednesday, September 16, in Rubavu District for allegedly selling trees in the forest owned by a local resident in Kanzenze Sector.

Cyprien Ndahayo, 45, who was also masquarading as a medical worker, allegedly defrauded two other people selling them the trees, separately.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson of the Western region, said that the alleged fraud was reported by one of the victims.

"It is alleged that Ndahayo, guised as the owner of the forest located in Mizingo village, Nyirabigogwe cell of Kanzenze sector and sold the trees to unwitting man for Rwf2 million on September 3. However, the buyer paid Rwf100, 000 upfront," said CIP Karekezi.

He added: "Ndahayo later brought another buyer, who was to pay Rwf1.6 million, but paid an advance of Rwf120,000.

The first buyer got to know that Ndahayo was selling the trees to another person and immediately called the Police reporting the scam. He was arrested at the forest where he was at the time receiving money from the second victim."

The rightful owner of the forest was not aware of the ongoing scam.

At the time of his arrest, Ndahayo was dressed as a medical doctor. He was allegedly masquarading as a doctor working at Gisenyi health centre, a trick he was using to win the trust of his targets.

It is at Gisenyi health centre that the victims would find him and from where all the negotiations would be made.

Ndahayo also had an ID Card belonging to another person, which he was using in the contracts.

CIP Karekezi urged people to always be vigilant enough when entering any valuable deals because scammers will always try to take advantage of someone's weakness. 

'Fraud is real, so watch out and verify everything, talk to people, ask neighbours, local leaders and actually let them be the ones to witness the process. 

Whenever you have any suspicions, be quick to report to law enforcement organs to prevent any likely fraud."

Early this month, Police in Rusizi district arrested 15 men, who were impersonating workers of telecommunication companies and defrauding unwitting members of the public.

Clause One of article 174 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, defines fraud as deception, obtaining another person’s property, whole or part of his/her finance by use of false names or qualifications, or offering positive promises or threats of future misfortunes.

Clause Two of the same article provides a term of imprisonment of between two and three years, and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million but not more than Rwf5 million, upon conviction.