Maputo, 21 Feb (AIM) – The Mozambican Police (PRM) have arrested, in the central city of Beira, an individual in possession of 25,000 Meticais (about 390 dollars, at the current exchange rate) in counterfeit notes while he was trying to deposit them in a mobile wallet.
The person who produced the counterfeit notes, however, has not been located yet.
The Police spokesperson in Beira, Dércio Chacate, told reporters that this is the second time this month that fake money has been seized in the city.
“We want to express our concern, given that this case has occurred for the second time in the month of February. And the way it is happening suggests that it is the same person who is using these individuals to commit this type of crime”, Chacate said.
He added that “at first glance, the notes seized look genuine. But a closer look leads to the conclusion that they are counterfeit.”
The spokesperson has also called on all mobile wallet agents to redouble their vigilance and collaborate immediately with the Police in case of criminal acts involving counterfeit money.
For his part, the man arrested, who was not named, claims that he received the money from a stranger on the street who had promised him a job.
“He gave me his phone number. He said he would call at 6pm. Then he came to meet me. He asked if I was interested in a job, and I said yes. Then he told me to deposit the money in a mobile wallet agent. I went to deposit the money with an M-Pesa agent. After the agent counted the money, he told me the notes were fake”, he said.
The mobile wallet agent and people nearby were attentive, checked the authenticity of the money, detained the young man and called the police.
(AIM)
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