Man Arrested For Allegedly Posing As Woman To Defraud Men In Mulanje And Phalombe
Published on June 18, 2026 at 9:07 AM by Evance Kapito
Police in Mulanje have arrested a 23-year-old man, Daniel Pahuwa Mahiyi, on suspicion of defrauding several men by allegedly posing as a woman.
According to reports, Mahiyi would allegedly present himself as a female sex worker and approach potential clients in Mulanje and Phalombe districts.
Police say that after receiving payment and accompanying the men to lodges or rest houses, he would reportedly excuse himself under the pretext of going to the toilet before disappearing without providing the agreed services.
Following a series of complaints from victims, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) launched an operation and reportedly posed as potential clients, leading to Mahiyi’s arrest at a local bar.
During the arrest, investigators allegedly discovered that the suspect used pieces of foam to create the appearance of breasts and buttocks in an effort to convince victims that he was a woman.
Police say investigations are continuing and the suspect is expected to appear before court to answer charges related to obtaining money by false pretence.
Authorities have since urged members of the public to exercise caution when dealing with strangers and to report suspected fraud cases to law enforcement agencies.
