By Norman Miwambo

22^nd Aug 2011:

A London-based Ugandan woman, who was astonishingly among the “ten most wanted” people in the United Kingdom who were being hunted down by police in connection with a whopping £200million fraud investigation, has been arrested in Croydon – South London.

Ms Jascent Nakawunde, 33, handed herself in at Croydon Police Station after seeing her face in the national media following the launch of a nationwide campaign to catch the “ten most wanted” alleged fraudsters who are suspected to have defrauded several victims over a period of time.  She was consequently arrested.

Ms Jascent Nakawunde in particular was wanted by police in connection with an alleged £35,000 fraud in the Cardiff area between 2007 and 2008.  She was employed as a live-in carer for a woman in her 80s. During this time, she is accused of stealing cheques from the 80 year old woman which were then allegedly paid into false bank accounts in the London area.

An independent British crime busting charity called ‘Crimestoppers’ launched the campaign to try and locate all the ten wanted individuals, who between them are suspected to have committed fraudulent crimes in the UK totalling £200 million.

Just two days Nakawunde arrest in Croydon – South London, Kevin Leitch, 48, from Plymouth, was charged with seven counts of fraud by accepting money for a holiday let knowing that he couldn’t honour the booking and one count of fraud via the internet auction website ebay.

Crimestoppers’ Chief Executive, Michael Laurie, said:  “…We are getting a tremendous response from the public in our search for these serious fraudsters who are responsible for taking £200 million out of our pockets. Three down in one week – seven to go!  I urge everyone who hasn’t yet visited our Most Wanted website to take a look and contact us anonymously if you have any information on the remaining individuals being sought”.

According to Crimestoppers, fraud cost the UK an estimated £38bn last year alone.  Lord Michael Ashcroft, founder and Crimestoppers Chairman said:  “…This is not a victimless crime.  Every single one of us is paying higher taxes, bank charges, and insurance fees because of fraud. The amount of fraud against the public purse is around £27bn a year.  This is equivalent to 30% of the estimated national education budget for 2011/2012”.

Lord Ashcroft added that, “…serious fraudsters often operate as part of gangs and fraud is just one of their business streams. This can result in the funding of drugs and people trafficking, which causes real harm to many”. He urged anyone with information about fraudsters, or the whereabouts of the 10 people featured on the list to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or to visit its website and fill in an online form.

“…We guarantee that no one will know your identity.  Help us take these criminals out of circulation”, Ashcroft said.  END.  Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.