Trio arrested in Kasungu over fake US dollars possession

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LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Police Service in Kasungu have arrested three men for allegedly being found in possession of counterfeit US dollars.

Kasungu Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Joseph Kachikho has identified the suspects as Jeo Mponela, 42,Christopher Banda, 26, and Vasco Luhanga, 30.

According to Kachikho, on January 25,2026,the three suspects ordered drinks worth K378,000 at a drinking place known as Thiwi and allegedly attempted to pay using a counterfeit US$100 note, claiming that the network was down and they could not make payment through Mobile Operator (MO) 626.

“However, after examining the money, the bar attendant discovered that it was fake and rushed to report the matter to the police.

“Police immediately launched a manhunt and managed to arrest the suspects, recovering more counterfeit money amounting to US$7,300 from their vehicle,” says Kachikho.

Mponela hails from Traditional Authority(T/A) Mwansambo in Karonga District, Banda comes from Mtwalo Village in Mzimba District, while Luhanga is from Traditional Authority(T/A) Chikulamayembe in Rumphi District.

Chisomo Phiri

I am an experienced young journalist who writes for Malawi’s major print and online publications. I currently work for The Maravi Post (www.maravipost.com), one of the Malawi’s fastest growing Online Newspapers as a National Reporter. I am interested in environmental, science and innovation, Education and human rights reporting