The police in the Zambezi Region are investigating a syndicate involved in a money-multiplication scam that allegedly uses rituals.

A Windhoek resident has reportedly fallen victim to the scam, losing N$21,000.

The victim and the suspect met in Windhoek last year and became friends.

Gaining the victim's trust, the suspect convinced them that a traditional healer in Katima Mulilo possessed charms capable of multiplying money.

The two traveled to Katima Mulilo, where the scheme commenced on Monday, with the promise that a mere N$21,000 investment would fill a bag with money by Thursday.

Katima Mulilo Station Commander, Chief Inspector Charles Mayumbelo, provided details of the incident.

"The victim had N$21,000, and this exercise could only be performed at the graveyard. When they took the bag to the graveyard on Friday, he was instructed to buy eggs, maize meal, and a red and white cloth. They placed it on top of the grave with the money inside; then they left, telling the victim to wait until the bag was full of money."

The victim, however, did not receive the money as promised and decided to report the matter to the police, recounting his ordeal to the station commander.

Chief Inspector Mayumbelo immediately launched an investigation, with the victim's assistance, to track down the suspect, who had begun avoiding him.

On Thursday night, the suspect demanded an additional N$8,000, instructing the victim to bury it at the entrance of a cemetery and warning him not to approach the bag.

The suspect was finally arrested in town on Friday while with the victim.

During interrogation, he revealed that he was not acting alone.

"He said he was not alone; there is a certain doctor that we still want to find, and there is another suspect nearby. One is in Windhoek, and we still have to make more arrests. Upon searching him, we found N$15,000 in his possession, the money that was left at the cemetery; he went and collected the money, and that is how they are scamming people."

Chief Inspector Mayumbelo urged the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent schemes and warned would-be criminals that the Namibian Police are prepared to tackle any form of crime.