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Max Mutamba (31) would re-portedly withdraw cash from his victims’ accounts before they could report the lost ATM cards to their respective banks.
At the time of his arrest, he allegedly had 15 ATM cards — none of them his — and he is accused of pocketing thousands of US dollars.
Mutamba yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Paidamoyo Mukumbiri but was not formally charged.
The court’s decision to grant him US$200 bail had been oppo-sed by the prosecution, led by Ms Constance Ngombengombe. His trial date has been set for February 10.
Ms Ngombengombe says on December 12 last year, Happiah Revai went to Interfin Bank’s ATM at the corner of Samora Machel Avenue and First Street.
After failing to withdraw fu-nds, Mutamba — who was behind her — offered to assist her, it is alleged.
The State says Mutamba was standing at the ATM as if he also wanted to withdraw money.
While pretending to assist, he allegedly swapped her card with someone else’s and left after saying the ATM probably had a fault.
Mutamba, the prosecution says, withdrew US$3 319 from Revai’s account the next day before she had discovered that her card had been stolen.
Revai only realised she did not have her real card when she went to an ATM a few hours after Mutamba had withdrawn the cash, it is alleged.
She immediately made a balance inquiry in the banking hall and found over US$3 000 mi-ssing.
She alerted the bank officials who instituted investigations.
The State says Revai recognised Mutamba from CCTV footage at ATMs and fingered him as the suspect.
The court heard that Mutamba was caught while trying to withdraw money from another accou-nt and bank staff handed him over to the police.
Reports of ATM fraud are rare in Zimbabwe, though they are prevalent in South Africa.
Banks warn their clients to ensure no one gets near the ATM when they are making withdrawals.-The Herald
Online Reporter