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Kinyarwanda
A man in Nyaruguru District has been arrested for allegedly defrauding people selling them fake mercury.
The suspect, Emmanuel Nyendahakunzwe, 41, was apprehended on June 22 when one of the victims reported to police that he had been sold fake substances, after paying for what he thought was genuine mercury.
He had already conned the victim who reported to police of Rwf3.5 million.
Mercury is a chemical element used in the manufacture of industrial chemicals that are essential in the manufacture of electronic appliances, as well as in thermometers to measure high temperatures.
The suspect is held at Cyahinda Police Station, while investigations continue to find out the whereabouts of his two accomplices who Police expect to be holding the money he conned from the victim.
Police spokesperson for Southern Province, Chief Superintendent Hubert Gashagaza, noted that such conmen are in the community and always try target vulnerable people without knowledge about the authenticity of valuable substances.
“The victim discovered a while later that what he had been sold was counterfeit and he immediately alerted police in the area, which trailed the suspect and arrested him," CSP Gashagaza said.
"Two other suspects he was with managed to escape but we are confident that investigations will catch up with them,” he added.
“It is always important to verify the quality of substances before paying for them – and it is equally important to know who you are buying from. If someone who is not a well established business person approaches you and tries to convince you to buy something, it is not advisable for you to comply because you may be conned.”
Chief Superintendent Gashagaza called on the general public to work with police through community policing and provide timely information about suspected wrongdoers in society.
Article 318 of the penal code states that anyone who obtains the property of another person by fraud or by intentionally using false names or qualities, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of three to five years and a fine between Rwf3 million and Rwf5 million.
