Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
A 31-year-old car dealer has been arrested on allegations of defrauding three prospective buyers of their cash, while two more suspects are also facing fraud charges involving the sale of fake commercial stands in Southerton, Aspindale and Glen Norah Township, with victims suffering a prejudice of US$151 000.
Police said they noted with concern an increase in fraud cases in which suspects are using social media platforms and other forms of advertisement to lure unsuspecting members of the public into purported motor vehicle importation deals and fraudulent property transactions.
In a statement, Criminal Investigations Department spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri said the CID Commercial Crimes Division first arrested Caution Madiro Chikonamombe (31), of Hatfield, Harare, in connection with three fraud cases involving the purported importation of vehicles.
“Investigations have since established that the accused person portrayed himself as an agent capable of facilitating the importation of vehicles on behalf of clients. In one of the cases, which occurred in October 2025, the suspect received a total of US$9 000 from a complainant who intended to import a Honda Grace.
“The suspect falsely claimed that the vehicle had been shipped; however, the vehicle was never delivered. On January 29, 2026, the suspect duped another complainant of US$5 000, which was meant to be a deposit for an imported motor vehicle.
“The complainant later realised that he had been defrauded after the suspect failed to deliver the vehicle and filed a police report,” she said.
In another case, the suspect prejudiced another complainant of US$12 100.
The suspect has since been arrested and appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court.
Meanwhile, police also arrested Desmond Rutsito (42) of Madokero, Harare, and Leeroy Manyange (28) of Zengeza, Chitungwiza, for deceiving buyers to pay for non-existent commercial stands in Southerton, Aspindale and Glen Norah Township, Harare.
The complainants suffered an actual prejudice of US$151 000.
Insp Muteweri said: “The Zimbabwe Republic Police continue to urge the public to exercise due diligence before making any payments for goods and services. Any suspicious transactions should be quickly reported to the nearest police station.”
