Two individuals have been arrested in the city of Nampula, suspected of being part of a criminal network that used false documents to withdraw money from the bank accounts of deceased people.

The case involves the fraudulent use of the identity of a deceased former combatant, whose name was used to withdraw more than 128,000 meticais from a bank branch in Pemba, Cabo Delgado province.

According to the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM), after withdrawing the amount in Pemba, the suspects tried to withdraw another 50,000 meticais from the same bank account in the city of Nampula, but ended up being surprised by the authorities, who were already on the alert after reporting the first suspicious withdrawal.

Among those arrested is a 31-year-old woman, allegedly the former fighter's niece, and a 54-year-old man from Nampula, whose photograph was used to forge the identity card. A third person, also from Pemba, is currently on the run.

"The citizen falsified her deceased uncle's documentation. With the adulterated document, she went to the bank where she withdrew 128,000 meticais. To facilitate the operation, they replaced the photo of the deceased with that of an accomplice," explained the PRM spokesperson in Nampula, Rosa Chaúque.

According to a Rigor newspaperAfter the crime, the suspects traveled to Nampula, where they planned another robbery. However, thanks to the quick intervention of the police, the attempt was thwarted and the two accomplices arrested in the act.

During the public presentation, the woman denied knowing about the forgery and claimed that she had been used without her full consent. "My uncle asked me to accompany him to the bank and said we were going to withdraw 50,000 meticais. I didn't know there was fraud. I only signed a power of attorney," she said in her defense.

The 54-year-old man confessed to the crime, claiming he had acted out of necessity. "I have eight children and difficulties. My brother-in-law proposed that I pose as the deceased. They promised me some of the money. They raised 128,000 in Pemba and only gave me six thousand. They said that from that day on, I would be the owner of the account and would receive two thousand a month," he said.

The detainee also said that he met the young woman on the day he was arrested and guaranteed that he had no direct involvement with the other accomplices. "Even though I knew it was a crime, I accepted because of the money. I'm sorry," he concluded.

 

(Photo DR)