Forex runner pulls a fast one with $700

Whinsley Masara

A MAN from Gwanda was arrested for allegedly stealing $700 from a woman who wanted to change bond notes into rand.

Godfrey Mangena (39) of Spitzkop suburb disappeared on Miss Chenhai Zhou of Ultra High suburb after pretending to want to link her with a money changer in his suburb.

He took the money from the woman, left her waiting at a gate, went inside the yard and disappeared.

The incident occurred last Tuesday and police arrested the suspect on Monday. Matabeleland South police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident.

He said the suspect was arrested and $434 was recovered.

“We are investigating a case of theft which occurred in Gwanda after a man pretended to be linking the victim with a money changer.

“The woman gave the suspect $700 bond notes which she wanted to change into rands. The suspect lured her to a certain house in Spitzkop suburb where he pretended to be seeing the forex dealer. He ordered her to wait at the gate while he collected the rands,” said Chief Insp Ndebele.

The suspect did not return prompting the woman to go inside to investigate.

Tenants at that house told her that no such person lived there and the woman realised she had been duped.

She reported the matter to police and investigations led to the arrest of the suspect on Monday.

Police have warned members of the public to desist from money changing deals saying they risk facing arrest or losing their money to fraudsters.

Chief Insp Ndebele also warned members of the public, especially those in the business fraternity, to be on the lookout for fraudsters saying there was a syndicate with a float of fake notes.

“Those handling US dollars should be extra vigilant not to be robbed,” he said.

Last week, a 25-year-old man from Bulawayo was arrested at Beitbridge Border Post for attempting to pay duty using fake United States dollar notes.

Givemore Tshuma of Nketa suburb, who was supposed to pay an unspecified amount of duty, was caught at around 7pm last Thursday after handing over 16 fake US$50 notes.

ZIMRA officials apprehended him and handed him over to the police.