Police have arrested four individuals in Iganga Municipality for allegedly impersonating Mrs Natasha Museveni Karugire and defrauding people online.
The suspects reportedly created multiple fake TikTok and WhatsApp accounts using Mrs Karugire’s photographs and identity to trick followers seeking financial assistance. According to police, the scheme involved asking victims for “registration fees” or “processing charges” before promising any support.
“Security agencies have been investigating a cybercrime network where criminals created fake social media accounts in the name of Mrs Natasha Museveni Karugire, using her images and identity to defraud unsuspecting followers,” said ACP Kituuma Rusoke, police spokesperson.
Police investigations revealed that the suspects actively monitored Mrs Karugire’s social media pages, identified followers requesting help, and then contacted them through fake accounts. Victims were directed to deposit money into phone numbers provided by the fraudsters. Several people reportedly lost money through this method.
During operations, the four suspects—Isabirye Ashiraf, Mulondo Rahman, Kakaire Zubair, and Egesa Sharif—were arrested. Police recovered multiple mobile phones and SIM cards believed to have been used to carry out the scam.
“Upon arrest, the suspects were found with numerous SIM cards and handsets, which we believe were used to commit these crimes,” Rusoke added.
The suspects are in custody and will soon face charges of cyber fraud and impersonation in court.
Police are warning the public to be cautious online:
Treat any request for registration fees or advance payments on social media with suspicion, always verify offers through official channels, report any suspicious accounts or fraud attempts to the nearest police station.
“We strongly caution the public against paying money to anyone online who demands fees in exchange for financial help, jobs, scholarships, or visas. Genuine individuals and service providers do not operate this way,” Rusoke emphasized.
Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant and support law enforcement efforts to combat online scams.
