Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
THESE are the faces of Chitungwiza syndicate which police claim operated a sophisticated Ecocash fraud operation, in which they defrauded scores of victims, from last year to this month.
All the members of the gang, which appears to include two brothers – Panashe and Tinashe Gonzo – have been arrested in a landmark breakthrough by the police.
Household items such as beds, sofas, televisions, refrigerators, wardrobes, stoves, plates, and blankets, which police suspect were bought with the proceeds of the crime, were also seized.
Some of the proceeds from crime were invested in cryptocurrency.
The heart of the syndicate was in Unit D, the neighbourhood adjacent to the Chitungwiza Town Centre, and seven of those arrested stayed in the area.
The others are from Unit E, Zengeza 2, Unit B and Dema.
H-Metro has obtained exclusive photographs and names of the suspected members of the syndicate.
Their average age is about 23.
They are Mpho Ruzwidzo (22), Ishmael Muzanenhamo, Moses Shingirai Chawatama (24), Usher Forester Mubaiwa (26), Panashe Wesley Gonzo (22), Tinashe Gonzo (24), Eddington Leeroy Mazonde (21), Calvin Takudzwa Masiyandaita (23), Shawn Goodmore Chikangaidze (22), Billy Zawe (21) and Dilan Macheka (22).
“The syndicate impersonated Econet Zimbabwe, disseminating fraudulent links to unsuspecting victims under the guise of free data promotions,” according to the police.
“Once victims accessed the links, they were manipulated into disclosing One-Time Passwords (OTPs).
“This security breach enabled the syndicate to unlawfully access victims’ Ecocash wallets and siphon funds into multiple controlled accounts.”
Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, spokesperson of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), confirmed the arrest of the suspects, resulting in the recovery of US$22,000.
“They impersonated Econet Zimbabwe, disseminating false links to unsuspecting victims under the guise of free data promotions.”
The CID Homicide team utilised a “follow-the-money” investigative approach, leading to the identification of the suspects and subsequent arrests.
Recovered items included five Econet-linked mobile phones, several SIM cards, and US$600.
One SIM card, which contained illicit funds, had been blocked, preventing any further withdrawals.
Authorities continue to warn the public to be vigilant when confronted with social media messages as criminals are increasingly exploiting these platforms to defraud people.
THE SYNDICATE WHOSE MEMBERS ARE NOW IN POLICE CUSTODY
THE UNIT D GANG
1. Mpho Ruzwidzo (22)
NR: 63-2469484 F43
Residence: 3377 Unit D, Chitungwiza
Occupation: Not employed
2. Usher Forester Mubaiwa (26)
NR: 59-198052-H-15
Residence: 3248 Unit D, Seke, Chitungwiza
Occupation: Not employed
3. Panashe Wesley Gonzo (22)
NR: 63-2918390-K-42
Residence: 3392 Unit D, Chitungwiza
Occupation: Not employed
4. Tinashe Gonzo (24)
NR: 63-307890-P-71
Residence: 3392 Unit D, Seke, Chitungwiza
Occupation: Not employed
5. Moses Shingirai Chawatama (24)
NR: Unknown
Residence: 3378 Unit D, Chitungwiza
Occupation: Not employed
6. Eddington Leeroy Mazonde (21)
NR: 59-222295-3-07
Residence: 3800 Unit D, Chitungwiza
Occupation: Not employed
7. Shawn Goodmore Chikangaidze (22)
NR: 63-341607-H-25
Residence: 3379 Unit D, Chitungwiza
Occupation: Not employed
OTHERS
8. Ishmael Muzanenhamo
NR: Not held
Residence: 19730 Zengeza Extension, Chitungwiza
District: Dema, Chief Seke, Village Musoko, Headman
Occupation: Not employed
9. Calvin Takudzwa Masiyandaita (23)
NR: 86-111010-Y-86
Residence: 5292 Unit E, Seke, Chitungwiza
Occupation: Not employed
10. Billy Zawe (21)
NR: Unknown
Residence: 12 Mbambaira, Zengeza 2, Chitungwiza
Occupation: Not employed
11. Dilan Macheka (22)
NR: 63-2374267-H-42
Residence: 63267 Unit B, Chitungwiza
Occupation: Not employed
HOW THE POLICE OPERATION WAS EXECUTED!
Detectives proceeded to Chitungwiza, where Ruzwidzo and Muzanenhamo were intercepted near their home at 2200 hours. They arrived in a peach-coloured Nissan Note.
Both suspects were arrested without incident.
“Upon interrogation, the suspects admitted to operating the syndicate,” said the police.
INITIAL RECOVERIES FROM RUZWIDZO AND MUZANENHAMO
• 5 Econet-linked mobile phones
• Multiple Econet SIM cards
• Cash: US$600
• Household property purchased using stolen funds, including beds, sofas, televisions, fridge, wardrobe, stove, plates and blankets.
• Additional disclosures revealed the purchase of a Toyota Spade (Reg: AGW 5666) for InDrive operations (yet to be recovered), purchase of a Nissan Note (Reg: AGG 5665), partial funds invested in cryptocurrency, one SIM card holding illicit funds had been blocked, preventing withdrawal.
FOLLOW-UP ARRESTS
• Chawatama, Mubaiwa, the Gonzo brothers, Mazonde, Masiyandaita, Chikangaidze, Zawe and Macheka were arrested at their homes, leading to further significant recoveries.
• 15 Buddie lines, Samsung S25, Samsung S23 and a Samsung A03 were recovered from Chawatama.
• 16 Buddie lines, Samsung S22 Plus, Samsung S36 and a Samsung A15 were recovered from Mubaiwa.
• A S10 Ultra tablet, non-working MacBook, US$1,200 cash, 15 Buddie lines, Samsung A05 and an iPhone 15 Pro Max were recovered from the Gonzo brothers.
• An iPhone 14 Pro Max, Redmi phone and US$310 cash was recovered from Mazonde.
• 21 Buddie lines, an iPhone 16 Pro Max and a non-working Itel phone were recovered from Masiyandaita.
• 20 Buddie lines, Samsung A03 and a Samsung Note 20 tablet were recovered from Chikangaidze.
• An iPhone 17 Pro Max and US$300 cash were recovered from Zawe.
• 6 Buddie lines, an iPhone 13 Pro Max and US$150 cash were recovered from Macheka.
ESTIMATED VALUE RECOVERED
Approximately US$22,000
Bongani Ndlovu