Lilongwe Police have arrested a 27-year-old former teacher, Charles Makwinja, for allegedly defrauding a fellow teacher by using her National ID and bank details to obtain a K1.4 million loan without her knowledge.
Lilongwe Police Deputy Public Relations Officer Sergeant Khumbo Sanyiwa said the incident occurred in December 2025 after Makwinja allegedly approached the victim and asked to borrow her National ID, claiming he needed it to access fertilizer.
Sanyiwa said days later, Makwinja requested the teacher’s bank account number, allegedly telling her that he wanted to send her K14,000 as a token of appreciation.
“After obtaining the account details, the suspect deposited K1.4 million into the teacher’s account and later told her that he had mistakenly sent the money instead of K14,000. Unaware, the victim gave him the money,” Sanyiwa said.
However, about a month later, the victim discovered that K91,000 had been deducted from her bank account. Police investigations allegedly established that Makwinja had used her National ID and employment number, which he reportedly obtained from a school forum, to secure a K1.4 million loan from a microfinance institution.
The matter was reported to Lilongwe Police Station, leading to Makwinja’s arrest. He is expected to appear in court to answer a charge of theft.
Makwinja hails from Kupalamula Village, Traditional Authority Msamala in Balaka District.
Police have since warned members of the public to exercise caution when sharing National IDs, bank account details and other personal information to prevent fraud and identity theft.
