EMPLOYMENT SCAM – 17 CB YOUTHS SWINDLED K26,000 FOR JOBS THA NEVER CAME
17 youths from the Copperbelt have been swindled out of over K26,000 by an unknown person who promised to find them employment in the mines.
North-Western Province Commissioner of Police Joel Njase said in a statement yesterday that the youths were asked to deposit K1,550 each in an MTN mobile number under the pretext that they would be employed at Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi when there was no such prospect.
Mr Njase said the incident happened on Wednesday and was reported to police on Saturday around 17:25 hours by Emmanuel Chanda, 27, of Wusakile Township, on behalf of others.“Solwezi Central Police Station received a complaint from 17 youths, all from Copperbelt who complained that some unknown person who claimed to be a Solwezi resident obtained their monies by false pretences by promising them that he will employ them in the mines in Solwezi,” he said.
“The 17 youths deposited the money and Friday was the date scheduled for the inductions and all the 17 travelled to Solwezi for the same inductions, but unfortunately, the swindler’s cellphone went off since morning, leaving the 17 youths stranded in Solwezi town.”The youths went to Solwezi District Commissioner Rosemary Kamalonga’s office where they lodged a complaint before they were taken to the police.
The victims are Joseph Mufwishi, 40, Benard Kapembwa, 27, Sydney Mulenga, 36, Stanley Mutale, 25, Mosty Mutale, 24, Ian Kachinga, 32, Teddy Zimba, 34, Pasco Kapembwa, 32, and Nicholas Mulenga, 34.Others are Kelvin Tembo, 30, Jasper Chalwe, 24, Melvin Chimfwembe, 24, Chomba Chomba, 26, Phaustinal Chita, 31, Mwape Shingwe, 27, and Frank Chanda, 27, all of Kitwe.
Mr Njase said a docket of obtaining money by false pretences has been opened and police have instituted investigations into the matter to bring the culprit to book.