Man who used MP's identity to con Igembe residents arrested
Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi speaks to journalists on September 23, 2019 after the arrest of a man accused of defrauding the public using his name. PHOTO | CHARLES WANYORO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Mwirigi said he reported the matter to the police after residents accused him of conning them.
- The man opened a Facebook account posing as the youthful MP and solicited for money from residents.
- Police found him in possession of numerous SIM cards and identity cards which he is suspected to have been using to withdraw money sent by his victims.
Police in Maua, Meru County are holding a suspected fraudster who is accused of conning residents of tens of money while posing as Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi.
The man identified as Zaberio Kinoti, who is in his mid-30s had opened a Facebook account posing as the youthful MP where he solicited money promising plum jobs and monetary rewards.
Speaking to journalists in Maua town, Mr Mwirigi said he reported the matter to the police after members of the public confronted him accusing him of conning them.
He said his office has been overwhelmed by the high number of people seeking to collect cheques allegedly promised by the conman.
The conman reportedly asked for Sh4,000 from his unsuspecting followers promising cheques worth Sh150,000 and also lured job seekers to pay Sh150,000 to get employment.
PRICE OF FAME
The MP said the man started using his name immediately he became famous after being handed a car by President Uhuru Kenyatta. This was after he rode a bus upon election as the youngest MP.
The suspected conman is said to have used various aliases among them John Mwirigi Kamotho and also claimed to be a personal assistant to Meru Woman Rep Kawira Mwangaza.
The man was arrested in an entertainment joint in Kinoro market, Imenti South after engaging detectives in a week-long cat and mouse chase.
Police found in his possession numerous SIM cards and identity cards which he is suspected to have been using to withdraw money sent by various victims.
IMPERSONATOR
“When the phone number he has been using was shared, the woman rep said it is the same one which the man claiming to be her personal assistant used. He would say that it was the alternative and most convenient number which could be answered by his secretary while busy in parliament,” said Mr Mwirigi.
He appealed to residents to be cautious and not to fall prey to such tricks.
“I urge members of public to be on the lookout. There are many people who have reported at various police stations claiming that I was conning them money. You need to ask yourself how someone can ask you for money so that he can give you more. Easy come, easy go,” he cautioned.
