Suspected Mobile Money Scammer escapes mob justice in Chongwe

9 Views CHONGWE — A suspected mobile money scammer narrowly escaped death after an angry mob descended on him following an alleged attempt to defraud mobile money operators of K6,000 at Kanakanthapa Turn-Off in Chongwe. The incident happened after the suspected scammer allegedly approached several mobile money booths, attempting to convince operators to process a […]

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CHONGWE — A suspected mobile money scammer narrowly escaped death after an angry mob descended on him following an alleged attempt to defraud mobile money operators of K6,000 at Kanakanthapa Turn-Off in Chongwe.

The incident happened after the suspected scammer allegedly approached several mobile money booths, attempting to convince operators to process a K6,000 cash withdrawal.

Speaking to a Zambian Eye reporter, 32-year-old booth attendant Sikiya Mulenga said the suspect first approached her booth and requested that she withdraw K6,000 in cash for him.

Mulenga said she agreed to the request but asked the man to first hand over the cash before she could initiate the transaction.

According to Mulenga, the man became annoyed and insisted that she should process the transaction first before he removed the money from his bag.

She said this raised her suspicions and she refused to proceed with the transaction.

Mulenga told Zambian Eye that the suspect then moved to three other mobile money operators at the same turn-off, allegedly making a similar request.

However, the operators also refused to process the transactions after becoming suspicious of his behaviour.

The situation reportedly escalated when the Airtel Money operators became increasingly suspicious and mobilised other people in the area.

An angry mob then pursued the suspected scammer, who allegedly ran away in an attempt to escape.

He was eventually caught after a chase and was reportedly beaten by the mob.

His life was, however, saved after market leadership intervened and stopped the mob from further assaulting him.

It was not immediately clear whether the suspect was handed over to police or whether any formal charges had been recorded by the time of publication.

Zambian Eye is also unable to independently verify the allegations made against the suspect, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.