POLICE in Zanzibar has arrested one person for allegedly acting as an officer of the Tanzania Intelligence and Security Service (TISS) hence stealing from various people.

Unguja Urban –West Regional Police Commander, Abubakar Khamis Ally told reporters here yesterday that the suspect has scammed several people who thought that would be helped by the suspect. 

He revealed that the suspect, Marco Daud Zagamba (32), a resident of Mbweni, Zanzibar, deceived five citizens and fraudulently obtained 6m/- by promising them employment opportunities.

 On July 22, this year in Maisara, Zanzibar, the suspect swindled a citizen out of 1.4m/- by claiming to be a TISS employee and promised the citizen support him in securing a job within the agency, while fully aware that such actions were illegal. 

“The suspect, using the same tactic, got 4.6m/- from four other people who are residents of Zanzibar.

He did this on different occasions, assuring them that they would have jobs in the special security forces of the revolutionary government of Zanzibar,” Ally said.

 Commander Ally also revealed that he suspects had been engaging in fraudulent activities for an extended period, using proximity to government offices to convince his victims of his alleged government employment and subsequently disappearing after completing the deception. 

“There were times he came here to Madema, holding meetings with citizens to persuade them he is a TISS officer. His clothing also contributed to people believing in him,” he explained. 

The RPC urged citizens who have fallen victim to the scam to report to the Madema Police Station to help identify the suspect and take precautions against fraudsters who exploit such opportunities for illegal gains.