Online Reporter
Moreblessing Ncube
FOUR EcoSure agents who allegedly turned from trusted employees to slick scammers have been dragged to court for masterminding a devious SIM swap scheme that bled two unsuspecting EcoCash users of US$4 485.
Manuel Makuvise (28), Kudzanai Learnmore Taraziva (28), Kudzaishe Shadreck Chakanyuka (42), and Joshua Nyaruwashe (24), are facing serious fraud charges after allegedly exploiting their positions to steal from vulnerable customers.
Prosecutor Garry Sengweni told the court that on 29 April, the gang zeroed in on an EcoCash account belonging to Eliah Nkomo.
According to Prosecutor Garry Sengweni, the first incident occurred on 29 April.
The accused persons identified EcoCash account number 0776091838 belonging to Eliah Nkomo as a target.
Accused 1, 2, and 4, who are Econet employees, checked the account balance, harvested details of the account holder, and supplied them to Chakanyuka, who manufactured a fake identity card with Nkomo’s details but bearing Chakanyuka’s face.
Accused 1, 2, and 4 then processed a SIM card replacement in respect of the complainant’s line, disabling the SIM card being used by Nkomo and taking charge of his EcoCash account.
The accused persons then withdrew $1 946 from Nkomo’s EcoCash account.
In a second incident on May 10, the accused persons targeted EcoCash account number 0772478536 belonging to Lynace Phiri.
Makuvise, Taraziva, and Nyaruwashe, who are Econet employees, checked the account balance, harvested details of the account holder, and supplied them to Chakanyuka, who manufactured a fake identity card with Phiri’s details but bearing Chakanyuka’s face.
Accused 1, 2, and 4 then processed a SIM card replacement in respect of Phiri’s line, disabling the SIM card being used by Phiri and taking charge of his EcoCash account.
The accused persons then withdrew $2 539 from Phiri’s EcoCash account.
The total value of the money stolen is $4 485, and nothing was recovered. The matter was remanded to 19 September as police dig further into what could be a big scam.
