Police at Naggalama Division in Mukono has arrested an 18-year-old man on allegations of luring female job seekers and later raping them through a Facebook job scam.

The suspect identified as Lubega Ashraf a resident of Katosi village, Kisoga sub-county in Mukono district who mainly dwelled in the areas of Mukono and Kayunga where he executed his acts of sexual violence.

The Police Spokes person, Fred Enanga , confirmed the suspect, created an online Medical job page, called Medical Scrub Uganda, on Facebook where he called himself Dr. Ronnie, and lured female applicants or job seekers, who are in need of the jobs. The suspect who had no permanent place of abode, mainly operated in the areas of Mukono and Kayunga. This is where he executed his acts of sexual violence.

Enanga added that, following luring the female victims on Facebook, he would briefly interview them and thereafter schedule or meeting to discuss the terms and conditions.

“On the 11.03.2023, he interviewed a 24-year-old midwife from Kireka in Kampala district and invited her to Ntunda village, Ntunda Parish in Mukono district, where he turned against her in a busy area and raped her. “

However, he was tracked down by the Crime Intelligence and Flying Squad teams and arrested.

In the course of police interrogation, the suspect admitted to having lured, robbed and raped many unsuspecting members of the public, with medical backgrounds, as a result of the Facebook page scam. The police cyber crime unit, at CID headquarters is conducting expansive investigations, to establish whether there are other members of the criminal sexual network.

Enanga added that, “We would like to warn young girls and female to be extra cautious, when transacting business or searching for jobs on digital or social media platforms. Job seekers are particularly vulnerable to online job scammers, who create websites. It is therefore, important to research the employer online, before applying for a job, avoid lone meetings with the strangers, never send money to anyone you meet online. It is also crucial to confirm the employer identity with an in-person interview or a video call. Once again, we urge job seekers NOT to accept a job solely through email, over the phone or via a chat app.”

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