Woman Fined K50,000 for Faking Kidnapping in Lilongwe

A 40-year-old woman Febbie Robert of Tsikulamowa Village, Traditional Authority Tsikulamowa in Ntcheu District has been convicted and sentenced by the Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate court to pay a fine of K50,000 or in default to serve 12 months imprisonment with hard labour for publicizing false news.

Deputy Public Relations Officer for Lingadzi Police Station, Sergeant Maria Kumwenda said Febbie has since paid the fine to escape jail term.

Through State Prosecutor, Sub Inspector Felix William the court heard that, on May 13th, 2025 Febbie allegedly lied that she had been kidnapped in the city.

“She informed her husband that the kidnappers were demanding a ransom of K500,000 to release her and 20 other people she claimed were being held captive in a house where 14 people had been killed,” Kumwenda said.

Following her husband’s complaint, police arrested Febbie in Mchinji, Kamwendo and she admitted that her entire story was a fabrication.

“Appearing in court Febbie pleaded guilty to the charge of publication of false news likely to cause fear to the public,” she added.

The convict prayed with the court for leniency saying that what she did was the work of the devil but Magistrate Bracious Kondowe concurred with the state and slapped Febbie with a fine of K50,000, or in default to serve 12 months imprisonment with hard labour.