Impostor nabbed in city
By Our Reporter
Shillong: One, James Francis Marwein (68), a homeless man was caught by the people from Golf Links here on Monday following allegations that he had duped many people from East Khasi Hills with the promise of providing them jobs. Marwein was later handed over to the KSU at their office at Jaiaw for further interrogation. Marwein confessed that he had fooled many people both tribals and non-tribals by promising to get them government jobs and in the process managed to get at least Rs four to five thousand from each person. “He promised to get me a government job and took Rs 5000 from me and my brother and sister as well,” a victim said. “He promised to get us appointed in the Indian Air Force and the Shillong Airport”, he added. From the culprit it is learnt that he had cheated 5 people from Shillong and its suburbs but failed to divulge the exact number of people who had fallen prey to his guile.
Reacting to a query, Marwein said he had chosen this path after he failed to find employment.
Interestingly, it was also found out that the culprit had also issued himself a fake medical certificate under the name of Edring Marwein (71 years) from Jaintia Hills, claiming that he was a patient at Christian Medical College, Vellore and that he is suffering from cancer.
Using this fake certificate, Marwein managed to fool many people including Pastors, Parish Priests and even Assembly Legislators and KHADC members seeking financial assistance from them.
Some politicians who fell for his lies include DD Lapang, Hoping Stone Lyngdoh, FS Cajee, beside others.
“I would go to ministers and District Council members asking for money. I had to make up stories to get the money from them,” he said.
When asked how he spent the money, Marwein said he spent it mostly on food but if he had money to spare he would book into a hotel for the night as he was homeless.
After conducting a physical search on Marwein the KSU members recovered the fake medical certificate from CMC Vellore, a few clothes and marihuana (ganja). It is learnt that Marwein had been involved in this illegal activity for the past two years and he had been in police custody in 1982 for similar activities.
Marwein was later handed over to the Lumdiengjri Police.