Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
FOUR fraudsters, who defrauded shop owners and mobile money agencies in Rusape, have been jailed.
Farai Moyo (47), Jeremiah Chiremba (29), Samuel Gwambiwa (29) of Kadoma, and Saviour Murombedzi of Harare, appeared before Rusape magistrate Princess Tanyanyiwa, facing four counts of fraud. They duped four people of a combined US$1,000.
Their luck ran out when one victim alerted the public through social media groups leading to the arrest of the criminals. Their car was parked in the Rusape CBD, leading to the recovery of the money. The magistrate sentenced them to 24 months imprisonment before setting aside 12 months on condition of good behaviour.
They will serve 12 months effective. Prosecutor Talent Sithole told the court that the four scammed four victims, within four hours, through sending edited Ecocash cash out messages.
“On October 13, 2026, and at around 9 am, accused persons went to an Ecocash shop at Bhola Complex, where acting in connivance Gwambiwa, approached Stabile Gwarazimba advising her that he wanted to do Ecocash out of US$300.
“He returned and misrepresented to Gwarazimba that he was cashing out US$500. The accused person sent an edited message of US$500 purporting to have cashed out that amount.
“Gwambiwa took clothes worth US$60 and was given cash amounting to US$440. “
The prosecutor added: “On the same day, at around 9am, the accused proceeded to Zindi Shops, Vengere.
“Moyo mentioned that he wanted to make an Ecocash cash out transaction of US$100 and Ecocash Agent attendant Ruvimbo Marari gave him the Agent Code and informed him to proceed with cashing out. “Moyo played with his cellphone and did not transact any cash.
“Chiremba and Gwambiwa came in, mentioned that they wanted to make an Ecocash cash out of US$100 and Gwambiwa cashed out US$100.
“The complainant overlooked checking the details on the transaction that had its confirmation sent to her phone, nor requested for an identity card from Moyo, took US$100 and gave it to him.
“After Moyo went away Gwambiwa furnished the complainant with a confirmation message of a cash out by Samuel Gwambiwa using 0790396024.
“Gwambiwa produced an identity card as proof of ownership of the mobile number which had been used on cashing out, Marari then gave Gwambiwa US$100.”
