An employee of the Chimoio Provincial Hospital (HPC) in Manica has been arrested on charges of swindling more than ten citizens out of around 600,000 meticais.

The suspect, whose name could not be identified, has been in custody since last Thursday (18). He is accused of demanding money with the promise of a job in the health sector.

The amounts charged varied according to the interests of each citizen. To enter the technical area, the scammer charged 80,000 meticais and for service agents he demanded 50,000 meticais.

The amounts were paid in two installments, half for each of the vacancies.

Cited by AIMPaulo Candeeiro, spokesman for the Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) in Manica, explained this Monday (22) in Chimoio that the arrest of the individual was possible thanks to complaints made by the victims.

"We received a tip-off about this citizen, who is accused of collecting money from several citizens with the promise of a job in the health sector. We started an investigation and it culminated in his arrest," said Paulo Candeeiro.

According to the source, "from the investigations carried out, it is clear that he really did receive some amounts via cell phone transfer".

"The amounts varied and each of the fraudsters sent the money. That's why we've done this work so that this individual can be held responsible," added Paulo Candeeiro.

However, the suspect confirms that this crime was committed and explains that he managed to get places for some citizens and that there were only two missing who had made the complaint.

"I got the places for others who paid. There are two more to go and I've tried to contact some friends who are also involved in this case, but I haven't managed it yet. Yes, I received the money and spoke to the head of human resources about how they were my relatives," he said.

The director of the Chimoio Provincial Hospital, Marília Pugas, said that the management of that health unit, the largest in Manica province, is distancing itself from this crime and is asking the victims to cooperate with the justice institutions.

"We learned about it through the media. Our appeal is to all those affected to cooperate with the justice system so that the entire network of fraudsters can be dismantled," said Pugas.