By White Luhanga
Police in Chipata District of Eastern Province have detained a 20-year-old man for being found in possession of counterfeit notes amounting to K22,000.
Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident, stating that it occurred yesterday, 19 September 2025, around 19:00 hours in Chipata Central Business District CBD Area.
The Police Commissioner identified the suspect as Elias Phiri, a Malawian national.
Mr. Mweemba says Phiri had brought K8,000 in K500 notes which he wanted to deposit at the booth.
Mr. Mweemba says in the process of trying to deposit, the mobile money booth attendant, identified as Ng’andu Ngosa, aged 34, detected a difference in the texture of the notes as she started counting the money, and she became suspicious.
He says Ms. Ngosa told the suspect that she had gone to the next booth, pretending she had gone to ask for a float, and went to explain to the other booth attendant.
Mr. Mweemba says they quickly informed a police officer based there, who managed to apprehend the suspect and took him to Chipata Central Police Station.
He says later the suspect was searched and was found with another K14,000 of K500 counterfeit notes bearing the same serial number 8235416.
Mr. Mweemba says a docket has been opened and investigations have been instituted.
He says the counterfeit notes have been kept as exhibits.
©️Zambia Reports | September 20th, 2025