Fugitive Defrauds Court with Bounced Checks and Disappears

He used counterfeit checks to pay bail of three million, sixty thousand, and one hundred meticais, convinced the Investigating Judge to release him, and as soon as he gained his freedom, he disappeared to an unknown location. Mário Sérgio Maluvele is now one of the most wanted men by Mozambican authorities, after defrauding the Maputo Municipal District Court – and the justice system is asking the public for help in locating him.

The judicial authorities of Maputo City have issued a public alert for the capture of the defendant Mário Sérgio Maluvele. According to the investigation, Maluvele is a defendant in an ongoing criminal case at the Maputo District Court (formerly the KaMpfumo Municipal District Court). During the preliminary hearing, the Investigating Judge decided to impose bail on the defendant in the exact amount of 3,060,100.00 meticais as a condition for his release.

However, Maluvele, in collusion with his lawyer, identified as Espirito Santo Monjane, presented the court with checks that were not covered by sufficient funds to pay the bail. Therefore, the magistrate, believing the payment was legitimate, ordered the defendant's immediate release.

Only after his release did the court become aware of the scheme: the checks were returned due to insufficient funds, constituting a clear fraud against the State and the justice system. Thus, Maluvele's whereabouts are now unknown, unduly benefiting from the freedom granted to him.

Given this scenario, the Maputo City Judicial Court appeals to all citizens: anyone who locates Mário Sérgio Maluvele should immediately report it to the nearest police station or contact the court via the number +258 84 964 6570. The authorities guarantee that the necessary measures will be taken to restore justice and hold both the defendant and his lawyer accountable for the fraudulent scheme.