Bulgarians
Ganchev, Kartaski and Dimitrov were sentenced to 20 years while their colleague Ivanov was sentenced to 10 years. They will serve the sentences concurrently at Luzira Prison where they have been since arrests about two months ago. Ivanov, received a lighter sentence after their lawyer, Charles DALTON Opwonya argued that by the time they were arrested, he had spent only two days in the country.
Prosecution has told court that on 30th August this year while in Kampala the Bulgarians, who are all businessmen and residents of Naalya estates in Kampala, tried to defraud over 30 Stanbic Bank customers through the use of fake ATM cards at the Nateete branch.
Court also heard that the convicts forged 36 ATM cards and pin numbers and used skimmers to copy Stanbic Bank clients ATM details with intent to defraud the bank. During the trial, lead witness Samuel Serundu, a security guard at Stanbic Bank Nateete, said he saw Ganchev, in the ATM room using glue to attach a device called a skimmer atop the genuine skimmer, and withdrew millions of shillings. He then attached a card-reader on the other slot where the ATM card is inserted.
But the suspects told the court that they came to the country as investors to deal in coffee and sugar and were not fraudsters and that the Attorney General was aware of their presence. They also claimed that they had failed to find good quality sugar in the country.
Magistrate Borore said the evidence, including ATM camera footage adduced by the state, was enough to convict the accused.
State Attorney Martin Rukondo asked court to deport the Bulgarians as soon as they complete serving their sentence. But defence lawyer Charles Opwonya objected, saying his clients were visitors who wish to stay and do business in growing coffee, cotton and also deal in sugar. He also vowed to file an appeal.
Trial magistrate Borore said the Bulgarians have 14 days in which to file their appeal.
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