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Tom Muleya-Fraud Insight
Making a deliberate, false criminal report to the police impacts negatively on the criminal justice system and is a criminal offence.
When the falsehoods evade or are not picked by the police and the courts, the national justice system is seriously undermined and innocent people suffer.
People who visit the police to make a complaint on fraud, theft and or any other prosecutable offence should ensure that they report truthfully and factually.
In many cases, police investigators later establish that complainants have lied against their suspect or as to the facts of the crime committed, and then the lying complaint is arrested.
The local newspapers’ libraries have a number of stories of cases backfiring on lying complainants.
The following are some of the challenges or problems caused by making a false report to the police;
It causes unnecessary expenses. The police will spend a lot of time and resources such as fuel to investigate a non-existent case. Remember, when a false report is made, it is difficult at face value to detect whether it is false.
It causes injustice in situations where a person is arrested on false accusations. In some instances, the lying complainant will even mobilise witnesses to provide overwhelming evidence against an accused person. But is important to note that the criminal justice system was established to try and prosecute real criminal offenders.
It creates a bad perception of the police. Members of the public normally blame the police for malicious arrests. Until the police establish otherwise, based on what the complainant stated in the report, the police will invite the suspects for questioning in respect of the alleged crime.
It is an unnecessary commission of an offence. Since the person making the false report can be arrested if it is proved that she/he lied.
It creates false alarm in situations where the offence involved is of a serious nature or involves a Government official.
It tarnishes the image of the victim in the eyes of the public. Normally the court of public opinion convicts the victim before the court. However, if the matter is later proven to be false, it’s not everyone who will know athat it was based on a false report..
A false report when not picked or detected undermines the criminal justice system. The courts will be made to prosecute and sentence an innocent person who could not prove his or her innocence.
Get empowered by Fraud Insight and be part of a solution to fraud and theft. Next week we will take a look at employees who embezzle their employers’ funds and start business similar businesses.
For your feedback, WhatsApp line: 0772 764 043, or e-mail:[email protected]. Tom Muleya is a Detective Assistant Inspector working under CID Commercial Crime Division (Northern Region), Harare. He is also a member of the National Cyber Security Taskforce, Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter