Duo nabbed for fraud

Mashudu Mambo

TWO men from Bulawayo were arrested for allegedly defrauding a local company of four tyres worth US$185 after they reportedly used a fake EcoCash message as proof of payment.

Thembani Ncube (30) from Gwabalanda suburb and Lawrence Moyo (27) from Magwegwe North suburb pleaded not guilty to fraud when they appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Maxwell Ncube.

They were remanded in custody to April 3.

Allegations against the duo are that on 14 February 2024, at around 4pm, they met with Troy Ndlovu, an employee at Mag Tyres, under the pretext of buying tyres.

They told Ndlovu that they wanted to purchase four size 15 tyres using EcoCash, and he provided them with his employer’s number to perform the transaction

Ncube showed Ndlovu the fake EcoCash message which stated that he had paid US$185.

The duo were given the four tyres and they went away.

The matter came to light when Ndlovu called his employer to find out if he had seen the transaction, and his employer stated that he had not received the amount in question.

Ndlovu attempted to contact the duo at the provided number, but it was answered by someone in Hwange.

Realising that he had been defrauded, Ndlovu reported the matter to the police and on 7 March acting on a tip off, the police apprehended the suspects.