In a dramatic twist of deception and digital fraud, police in Kampala have arrested Elangu Eride Pius, a man accused of pulling off a bold impersonation scheme targeting top business figures under the guise of being a senior police officer.
Elangu allegedly masqueraded as Superintendent of Police Opio Patrick, the Division Police Commander (DPC) of Jinja Road, using the MTN number 0762 834001 to make convincing phone calls and WhatsApp messages.
His targets? Not ordinary citizens, but high-profile individuals including Vincent Wei, the Managing Director of CHINT Uganda, Nanshemeza Lorren of Lakhan Auto Centre, and Kakonge David, a businessman operating in the bustling Industrial Area.
According to investigators, Elangu didn’t stop at impersonating SP Opio. He is believed to have adopted the identities of several other senior officers, whose names are being withheld for security reasons, as part of a sophisticated extortion racket.
Under these false identities, he arranged meetings with his victims and allegedly solicited money, directing payments to another number: 0702 599905.
His luck ran out when a tip-off led detectives to his arrest. Authorities confiscated his mobile phone, which is now undergoing forensic analysis to trace the full scope of his criminal network.
Police are urging anyone who may have been contacted or defrauded through these numbers to report to Jinja Road Police Station. Victims are being assured of support and protection.
Senior Superintendent of Police P. Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police PRO, issued a stern reminder to the public.
“Always verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be a public official, especially when money is involved. Scammers thrive on trust. Don’t give it freely.”
This arrest exposes a chilling trend where criminals exploit the authority of police uniforms, virtually and in real life, to execute elaborate frauds. For Elangu, the impersonation game is over, but authorities believe more players may be hiding in the shadows.
