Iganga, Uganda: Police have arrested a 22-year-old man accused of impersonating Tycoon Ham’s brother Yasin Ssentongo and his Hajji Yasin Foundation on TikTok and other social media platforms to defraud unsuspecting Ugandans through fraudulent online fundraising schemes.
The suspect, identified as Kisambira Ali, is a resident of Nampirika A Village, Bukaye Parish, Nakalama Sub-county in Iganga.
His arrest followed a joint operation conducted by territorial police in Iganga and officers from Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) after the case was initially reported in Kampala.
Busoga East Regional Police spokesperson ASP Michael Kasadha said investigators recovered a mobile phone allegedly used to operate multiple fake TikTok accounts impersonating the charitable foundation.
“Upon conducting a search and subsequent interrogation, it was established that the suspect was in possession of a Samsung A05 mobile phone containing eight active TikTok accounts used to perpetrate online fraud,” ASP Kasadha said.
Investigators believe the accounts were being used to impersonate the Hajji Yasin Foundation and solicit money from members of the public under false pretences.
Kisambira is currently detained at Iganga Central Police Station pending his transfer to Kampala Central Police Station, where further investigations into the alleged fraud are continuing.
ASP Kasadha said police have intensified operations against cybercriminals exploiting the names of charitable organisations and prominent individuals to swindle the public.
“We are committed to ensuring that all individuals involved in online scams are apprehended. We have also developed a public awareness program to educate citizens so they do not fall victim to such schemes,” he said.
He urged Ugandans to exercise caution when responding to online fundraising appeals, verify the authenticity of donation requests, and promptly report suspicious social media accounts to the police.
The Hajji Yasin Foundation has in recent years repeatedly warned the public about fraudsters creating fake TikTok and WhatsApp accounts using its name to solicit money from unsuspecting well-wishers.
Police say investigations are ongoing and that more arrests are expected as detectives work to dismantle the wider network behind the alleged online scam.
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