Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) on Friday paraded three men, who were arrested for allegedly masquerading as Police officers and defrauding people of their money promising to give them driver's license.

The trio; Steve Gasana, Ngabonziza Lambert and Twarabanye Robert was apprehended in Kicukiro District, Nyarugunga Sector.

At the time of their arrest, they had already collected more than Rwf1 million from various people.

How they were apprehended

It is said that in 2011, Ngabonziza, masquerading as a Police officer attached to the Traffic and Road Safety department, conned Twarabanye Robert of Rwf360, 000 with promises that he would bring him a driver's license in the next few days.

That was, however, the last time Twarabanye heard from Ngabonziza.

Ngabonziza switched off his phone.

Ngabonziza, however, resurfaced about eight years later when he again called Twarabanye this year apologising, and promising to deliver this time, but on condition.

According to Twarabanye, the condition was to mobilise more people seeking a driver's permit.

This is when Twarabanye was recruited to the ring.

Twarabanye, now with a mission, went back to his native Gicumbi District where he lured four people.

This is when Ngobonziza told Twarabanye that his afande (Gasana Steven) wished to meet the four unsuspecting victims in need of driver's license so as to agree on terms.

It is at this time that the so called afande travelled to Gicumbi, met the four people and told them to raise a total of Rwf950, 000 for the service.

Mid-last month, the victims allegedly travelled to Kigali, met the masquerading afande (Gasana Steven) with another suspect still at large, and gave them the agreed Rwf950, 000.

The two fraudsters then drove the four victims, abandoned them in Muhima and disappeared.

According to the Police, the scam came to light after one of the victims reported to Police.

The suspects were located and arrested on May 30 in their hideout in Nyarugunga.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Rafiki Mujiji, the Commissioner for Traffic Road and Safety department, while addressing people in Kimisagara where the suspects were paraded, urged them to always report people promising them driver's license without going through the legal channels.

"Police services are not offered or sold on streets. If you want a driver's license you apply, sit for test and pass. Anyone promising to get you a permit is trying to con you, so be vigilant and report such criminals," CP Mujiji told the gathering.

“We have heard about such fraudsters, and in many cases where people have reported we responded and apprehended them,” he added.

It is said that drivers who have been found with forged permits also acquired them through such unlawful channels.

“We are now using technology in traffic and Road safety services which makes it possible to detect illegal services including forged permit. Technology has also eased access to services without help. Seize the opportunity and acquire the services you need in a lawful manner rather than taking shortcuts that will put you in conflict with the law."

CP Mujiji warned of continued operations against such fraudulent individuals but also cautioned those who attempt to go through illegal shortcuts to access the traffic and other Police services.

The suspects were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau.