INSIDE THE FAKE DOLLAR SCAM: Mayuge farmers lose millions to sophisticated conmen

Farmers in Mayuge District are raising alarm over a growing wave of fraudsters who are targeting unsuspecting produce traders and stealing their hard-earned money through elaborate scams involving fake US dollars.

One victim, Boniface Mudoola, a rice farmer and resident of Ikulwe Ward in Mayuge Town Council, says the criminals use trusted acquaintances and staged family setups to lure farmers into handing over large sums of cash.

“They used my close friend to convince me that a family in Buyemba had USD 30,000 left behind by their late father, who had worked as a soldier in Somalia. An elderly woman was presented as the owner of the money, making the whole story seem genuine,” Mudoola recalled.

Convinced the deal was legitimate, Mudoola handed over UGX 3 million. Moments later, a group of men armed with sticks and machetes emerged from the bush, threatening to kill him if he did not leave.
“I had no choice but to run for my life and abandon everything,” he said.

Another Trap: Fake Rice and Sand Deals
According to victims, the scammers have also infiltrated local transport networks, allegedly working with some boda boda riders who direct buyers to notorious hotspots such as Buyemba and Bukasero villages.

There, unsuspecting customers seeking rice or construction sand are promised goods at unusually low prices. After paying a deposit, they are asked to wait while the products are supposedly being collected. Instead, armed accomplices emerge and threaten the victims before disappearing with the money.

Farmers Urged to Stay Vigilant

Mudoola says many innocent farmers have fallen victim to these schemes, losing millions of shillings with little chance of recovering their money.

He is now urging the public to be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, especially those involving foreign currency, advance payments, or unusually cheap goods.

Authorities are being called upon to intensify efforts to dismantle the criminal networks and protect farmers from these increasingly sophisticated scams.

The image of one of the wanted suspects has been shared on this platform as police continue their investigations into the alleged fraud scheme.