The Dowa First Grade Magistrates’ Court has sentenced to three years imprisonment two conmen who were arrested for impersonating Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) and Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) officers.

The accused, Alex Whayo, a former MRA officer and his accomplice, John Msiska, a former employee of Opportunity Bank, were sentenced on Monday 23rd January 2017 after they were arrested at Dzaleka Refugee Camp.

The two conmen pleaded guilty and Police prosecutor Beston Chimberenga said the two required a stiffer punishment arguing that they were involved in organised crime and they had tarnished the image of the two public institutions.

The two impostors were arrested on 11th January 2017 after they failed to defraud a Rwandese businessman, John Habilimana, at Dzaleka Refugee Camp.

The shop owner was suspicious of the two crooks after they introduced themselves as MRA and MSB officers and flashed their fake identity cards.

“I doubted their story and rushed to Dzaleka Refugee Camp Police Unit to report the incident and the suspects were arrested instantly,” Habilimana had said.

It is reported that the two tricksters were using a hired motor vehicle, a Mazda Demio registration number DA 184, belonging to Dan Chiphika.     

The two impersonators are suspected of swindling other unsuspecting shop-owners at Thete Trading Centre in Dedza, Msudwe Trading Centre in Salima and Mponela Trading Centre in Dowa.  The two fraudsters are suspected of collecting K133, 000 from businesses at Dowa Boma alone.

Whayo, 33, comes from Mkanda Village, T/A Kalembo, Balaka while Msiska, 41, hails from Lumbwezi Village, T/A Chikulamayembe, Rumphi. 

The two scammers and Chiphika, the owner of the getaway vehicle, are residents at Lumbadzi Trading Centre.

MRA would therefore like to inform the general public and the business community that its officers, including EFD inspectors, wear identity cards when transacting MRA business.

Taxpayers have the right to demand an official MRA identification card from any MRA staff member visiting shops on official duty.

The business community is advised to call the nearest MRA office to confirm the identity of the officer if still in doubt of the identification provided.

The Authority is, therefore, reminding the public that impersonating an MRA officer is a serious offence and can attract a maximum imprisonment of five years.

The business community and the public are, therefore, urged to take notice of this and report to MRA such malpractices on the following numbers 0888 986 200 and 0888 952 283.