News / Regional
Police manhunt for $17,000 con-woman
04 Apr 2016 at 06:48hrs | Views
POLICE in Bulawayo are looking for a female fraudster who allegedly duped two women of more than $17,000 in the same week after promising to partner them in supplying computers to a city school.
Abergailey Mpala of Hillside suburb allegedly told her victims that she had won a tender to supply a school with computers and needed partners to seal the deal.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said Mpala disappeared after the con in September last year. "She told her first victim that she had secured a tender to supply a local school with computers to the tune of $20,000.
"She told her that she had $8,000 and needed someone to chip in with $12,000 so that she could purchase the computers in South Africa," she said. Insp Simango said the woman fell for Mpala's trick and gave her $12,000 expecting to get her returns a week later.
"After a week she started telling her partner excuses. The victim went to the school and inquired about the tender only to discover that the school hadn't awarded such a tender," she said.
Insp Simango said by the time her victim reported the matter to the police, Mpala had disappeared.
The police spokesperson said Mpala tricked another woman who is member of a burial society from Emganwini suburb.
She allegedly told her about the computer deal promising the money would be paid back with considerable interest within a few days.
The woman was then swindled of $5,500 belonging to the burial society.
"She told her that she was in the business of selling and buying computers before borrowing $5,500 which she promised to repay in a few days. After she was given the money she disappeared and hasn't been located," Insp Simango said.
She warned members of the public against engaging in deals with unscrupulous people.
"We're urging members of the public to desist from engaging in business deals with untrustworthy people.
"They should avoid doing business deals on the streets where they don't sign any paper work or have witnesses," said Insp Simango.
She said most of the fraudsters offer lucrative deals which often sound too good to be true.
"Members of the public must be suspicious when someone offers a deal that brings astronomical returns within a few days. Money comes through hard work," said Insp Simango.
She said those who may have information that may lead to Mpala's arrest should contact the nearest police station.
"Efforts to locate her have been fruitless hence the appeal to anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact Officer in Charge CID Western Commonage on landline 09-418101.
"They can also contact the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Mafu on 0712574713 or a police station close to them," said Insp Simango.
Abergailey Mpala of Hillside suburb allegedly told her victims that she had won a tender to supply a school with computers and needed partners to seal the deal.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said Mpala disappeared after the con in September last year. "She told her first victim that she had secured a tender to supply a local school with computers to the tune of $20,000.
"She told her that she had $8,000 and needed someone to chip in with $12,000 so that she could purchase the computers in South Africa," she said. Insp Simango said the woman fell for Mpala's trick and gave her $12,000 expecting to get her returns a week later.
"After a week she started telling her partner excuses. The victim went to the school and inquired about the tender only to discover that the school hadn't awarded such a tender," she said.
Insp Simango said by the time her victim reported the matter to the police, Mpala had disappeared.
The police spokesperson said Mpala tricked another woman who is member of a burial society from Emganwini suburb.
She allegedly told her about the computer deal promising the money would be paid back with considerable interest within a few days.
The woman was then swindled of $5,500 belonging to the burial society.
She warned members of the public against engaging in deals with unscrupulous people.
"We're urging members of the public to desist from engaging in business deals with untrustworthy people.
"They should avoid doing business deals on the streets where they don't sign any paper work or have witnesses," said Insp Simango.
She said most of the fraudsters offer lucrative deals which often sound too good to be true.
"Members of the public must be suspicious when someone offers a deal that brings astronomical returns within a few days. Money comes through hard work," said Insp Simango.
She said those who may have information that may lead to Mpala's arrest should contact the nearest police station.
"Efforts to locate her have been fruitless hence the appeal to anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact Officer in Charge CID Western Commonage on landline 09-418101.
"They can also contact the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Mafu on 0712574713 or a police station close to them," said Insp Simango.
Source - chronicle
