Cacuaco - Nine Angolans and one Guinean citizen were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) when they intended to insert around 120,000 fake dollars into unofficial money exchange market in Luanda.
The forgers who were detained during an operation carried out by SIC agents in Zango district, were presented to the public on Tuesday in Luanda.
Speaking to the press, SIC General spokesperson, Manuel Halaiwa explained that the forgers attracted customers interested in buying dollars on the unofficial market at very low prices.
“Initially the criminals present supposedly valid banknotes, but then they exchange them for fake ones”, said the official.
Also, as part of the fight against crime, SIC arrested three people in Zango, aged between 23 and 30, for their involvement in thefts from places with cash machines.
The criminals used to pretend to be in the queues and waited for people with little experience in handling ATMs, offering help and taking the opportunity to memorise the codes and change the cards.
According to the official, the arrest was possible due to a complaint made in September by an Indian citizen who was stolen by the group.
17 million kwanzas was the amount that the offenders withdrew from the Indian citizen account. The Money was taken through an Automatic Payment Terminal (TPA) and handed over 30% of the amount to the owner of the payment device.
The detainees will be referred to the judges for the appropriate judicial procedures. DJ/OHA/MRA/DOJ
