Police in Lilongwe have detained Lovemore Chikopa, a 26-year-old resident of Bokosi village in the Chiradzulu district, on suspicion of defrauding gullible business people out of millions of Kwacha.
Chikopa, who was brought into jail from a guest house where he had accrued a bill of almost K1 million during his 10-day stay, holds a diploma in h@cking and protection systems in addition to a bachelor’s degree in information and communication technology.
Chikopa’s h@cking techniques targeted well-known business executives and business people, tricking them into thinking he had moved money into their accounts via the banking system, according to Sergeant Cassim Manda, Publicist for Lingadzi Police Station.
In his most recent attempt, he went after a businessman, promising to use the financial system to pay for car batteries that were valued at more than K700,000.
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But when the victim did not receive a corresponding communication from the bank, she started to suspect anything. Chikopa was taken into custody after the incident was reported to the Lingadzi Police Station.
Some of the stolen goods, including pricey clothing that he reportedly took from several business owners, have been found by the police.
Chikopa acknowledged committing similar crimes in Blantyre, Salima, and Lilongwe; the estimated total loss from these locations is estimated to be in the millions.
Chikopa was just left with his underwear after his expensive clothing was discovered on him. It was confiscated and taken away. He is being held by the police and is anticipated to be charged with fraud and hacking.
