Four foreign nationals are in police custody in Mangochi for allegedly stealing K1.1 million from a sales lady, Grace Sitafu at Shangirai Shop in the district.

The suspects are Daniel William Paulo, 53 and Leah Alanda Lungile(female), 20, from Mozambique and Gregory John, 51 and Joshua Singombo Kabile, 49 from Tanzania.

Mangochi Police Spokesperson Amina Tepani Daudi has confirmed the development.

“The suspects humbly requested the complainant to accompany him to Victoria Forex Bureau in order to assist him exchange US Dollars to Kwachas and also promised to share her undisclosed amount as a token,” says Daudi.

Daudi adds Sitafu followed the suspect outside before doing her transaction where she boarded a Toyota Axio bearing Mozambican registration number AlL038MP. In the car, there were other three suspects on board.

“Upon arrival at Victoria Forex Bureau, Sitafu was given a fat sealed envelope alleged to have contained huge sums of US Dollars and was instructed to leave behind her handbag which contained K1.1 Million.

“When she went inside to exchange the claimed dollars, she discovered that the envelope was full of ruled pieces of papers. She rushed back outside only to find that the suspects cruised to unknown destination,” adds Daudi.

Tje victim later reported the matter to police leading to the arrest of the four and recovered the money.

Daudi says the four have been charged with theft which contravenes section 278 of the Penal Code and will appear before court to answer the charges.