After a long outcry by dozens of people who have been fleeced of their money in passport application processes, police and the ministry of internal affairs have arrested 17 suspected conmen disguised as the institution’s workers.
The arrest has been effected by covert crime intelligence officers deployed outside the ministry’s premises, nearby fuel stations and entries where the suspects were found charging desperate passport applicant’s money ranging from 500,000 Shillings to 2 million Shillings.
Simon Peter Mundeyi, the spokesperson for the ministry of internal affairs, says some of the suspects have been conning applicants with promises of securing early appointments and in some instances, they have been promising to get them passports in less than five days.
Although Mundeyi has not revealed the number of cases filed by people who have been cheated by brokers, it is reported that Jinja Road police division and Wampewo police post have dozens of such cases.
Mr.Mudenyi on passports…….
By press time, 17 passport brokers were being detained at Jinja road police division as the hunt for others was ongoing. END.