A number of people across the Bunyoro region are victims of con artists, losing unaccounted amounts of money to them.

Yesterday afternoon, one center mobile also doubling as mobile money agent in Buliisa district was coned 7M when told to credit money from Bank account to mobile money account.

"I was told that my mobile money card has been blocked, however, he told me to transfer money from the cente mobile account to mobile money account so as to activate it," said a victim.

The victim also added that when he contacted MTN customer care, he was told that those were con men but realized it after transferring the money.

In September this year, one of the self-proclaimed Tullow Oil agent only identified as Asiimwe Innocent Milton coned twenty-five thousand shillings from a resident in Masindi. Asiimwe in his late 20's promised the victim ( names withheld ) to connect him in Tullow Oil jobs, claiming that he recruits workers thus sent in search of jobs.

Another victim today told some media team that Asiimwe claimed to be a grand son to Kajura Muganwa the former minister of internal affairs but with roots from Milton of Kyema in Masindi.

When contacted Tullow Oil offices Hoima, one of the staff ( names withheld) told our reporter that they don't send or have agents to recruit workers, however, available jobs are advertised on media houses including; radios, televisions, newspapers and notice boards.

In March, Total E&P Uganda cautioned the general public to be aware of the numerous con artists on the rise, masquerading as Total recruitment agents extorting money from the unsuspected members as pre-requisite to gain employment within Total.

The public notice also stated that the skilled jobs whenever vacancies available are advertised and all interested applicants are taken through a rigorous, competitive and transparent recruitment exercise in accordance with applicable laws. It also stated, sourcing of semi-skilled workers, Total and it's contractors with the assistance of the Community Tourism Liaison Officer- CTLO, always publicize the job opportunity at the different geographic level, through print media, radio, notice board among others.

The public notice, however, cautioned members of the general public to be vigilant of such unscrupulous individuals and to immediately inform the police and local council authorities to enable the situation to be handled in accordance with the full extent of the law.

By Innocent Atuganyira