Two Arrested Over Phone Theft Trick in Blantyre

Blantyre Police have arrested two men for allegedly stealing a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra from a woman near Wenela Depot using a deceptive trick.

The suspects have been identified as Alex Chimwala, 39, from Chidawati Village, Traditional Authority Nkalo in Chiradzulu District, and Ulemu Kawanga, 32, from Simon Tembo Village, Traditional Authority Chapananga in Chikwawa District.

Police reports indicate that the incident occurred while the victim, Harriet Neno, was walking and looking at her phone. Alex allegedly snatched the phone from her hand and fled the scene.

Three men, including Ulemu, then chased after Alex, creating the impression that they were helping the woman recover her phone.

After about ten minutes, Ulemu returned while dragging Alex back to where the woman was and told her that Alex was claiming ownership of the phone. A heated argument ensued, with both Alex and the woman insisting the phone belonged to them.

Ulemu then proposed what he described as a “fair solution” to resolve the dispute, suggesting that whoever could unlock the phone by providing the correct password would prove ownership.

In her desperation to recover the phone, the woman disclosed the password. Upon hearing it, both Alex and Ulemu ran away laughing after successfully unlocking the phone.

The woman later reported the incident to Blantyre Police, who launched investigations and arrested both suspects.

Police say investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will appear in court soon to answer theft-related charges.