The Directorate of CID arrested and charged to court, a one Mugarura Mike, the prime suspect and mastermind behind major phone scams in the country. As part of the scheme, the scammers utilized a network of call centers to call potential victims within the country.
They would obtain personally identifiable information obtained from a number of sources including websites of MDAs, like immigration foreigners with deportation; URA for tax related scams, NSSF for scams on benefits, UCC with threats of sim card de-registration and other mobile telephone networks, lawyers threatening legal action etc. As part of the scam victims were convinced to part with money.
The arrests of Mugarura Mike, came following investigations into more than 54 incidents since 2009. Notably among them, are his personation of Gen. Salim Saleh, Rtd Major Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, Rtd Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye, Professor Ogenga Latigo, The CGP Dr. Byabashaija, the late BOU Governor Mutebile, Hon, Sam kutesa, Business Mogal Patrick Bitature, Al Hajji Moses Kigongo, Robert Kabushenga (former CEO Vision Group), Brig. Mayombo’s son, and many others VIPs, whom they personated without their knowledge, and defrauded victims.