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AN unrepentant fraudster was back in court yesterday facing fresh fraud charges involving over US$19 000.
The suspect, Noel Chinyuku, who is already in remand prison on other matters, appeared before Harare magistrate, Yeukai Dzuda, who deferred the matter to today, for bail considerations.
Chinyuku appeared together with his suspected accomplice, Tapiwa Ngondo.
The complainant is Yoawei Investments (Pvt) Ltd, being represented by Billing Moyo, the manager.
Allegations are that in May last month, Moyo engaged Chinyuku, who is a clearing agent, to clear his consignment from China, landing in Beira, Mozambique.
It is the State’s case that Chinyuku and Ngondo then connived to defraud Moyo.
In pursuant of their plan, Ngondo called Moyo and misrepresented to him that he was a ZIMRA officer, who was on the verge of confiscating their container from Beira in Mozambique, as it had some irregularities.
It is alleged Moyo then called Chinyuku to check what was happening.
He was informed ther goods were about to be confiscated unless they paid US$28 160 for duty.
The court heard that Moyo paid US$22 160 to Chinyuku and the goods arrived in Harare.
Moyo allegedly phoned another agent, by the name Andrew Mazvita, who suggested that another agent, who is based in Harare, could assist him faste.
He was supplied with the same number Ngondo had used purporting to be a ZIMRA official.
On May 24, Moyo received some documents from Mutare, which indicated that Chinyuku had paid $743 165 for duty and he had, therefore, been duped of US$19 597.
Nothing was recovered.
Anesu Chirenje appeared for the State.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter