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A MEDICAL doctor stationed at Hauna District Hospital lost $1 600 to a fraudster who misrepresented himself as his nephew and colleague in the profession.Tinashe Munhuwenyu (32) a.k.a Dr Makore a.k.a Crispen Munyimi of Chinyanga Village, Chief Nyashanu’s area of Buhera was convicted by Nyanga provincial magistrate, Mr Ignatio Mhene for defrauding Dr Steven Karembo $1 620.
He was sentenced to a year behind bars, of which four months were suspended on condition that he restitutes Dr Karembo his money.
Prosecuting, Mr Ziwanai Gombarume, said on December 12, Munhuwenyu called Dr Karembo pretending to be Dr Makore, a senior doctor based at Chikombedzi Hospital.
“He asked the complainant to assist his nephew, Crispen Munyimi, whom he said was stranded at Hauna Growth Point. Dr Karembo proceeded to call the said Crispen on a number supplied by Munhuwenyu. The two later met and Crispen was given $40 by Dr Karembo.
“Later on the same day, the accused pretending to be Dr Makore called Dr Karembo informing him that his “nephew” was to sleep in Mutare for an identification parade and went on to ask for $300 to enable Crispen to look for accommodation at a lodge in Mutare. Munhuwenyu supplied Dr Karembo with an Ecocash account where he was supposed to transfer the money. Dr Karembo transferred $137 to the given number,” said Mr Gombarume.
On December 14, Munhuwenyu called again, this time requesting $120 for bus fare to travel to Harare where he said the identification parade had been moved to.
Dr Karembo sent the requested amount.
The following day, the accused called purporting to be Dr Makore asking for money to buy fuel to enable him to carry his fertiliser and Dr Karembo transferred $400 into a furnished Ecocash account.
On December 16, Munhuwenyu using the same modus operandi called Dr Karembo asking for money to ferry his ailing wife to hospital and the doctor deposited $150 into a provided CBZ account.
Later during the day around 8pm, Munhuwenyu called again asking for money to cover expenses for his wife’s funeral whom he alleged had died.
Dr Karembo deposited $500 into the same CBZ account.
The court heard that Munhuwenyu called again requesting for more money and Dr Karembo transferred $200 into a given Ecocash account.
On December 22, Munhuwenyu called again posing as Dr Makore informing Dr Karembo that he has not been well since the burial of his wife hence he wanted money to see the doctor.
Dr Karembo deposited $20 into another Ecocash account.
Smelling a rat, Dr Karembo made a police report and Munhuwenyu was arrested on January 6.
Investigations revealed that Munhuwenyu was the same person who had called Dr Karembo identifying himself as Dr Makore and Crispen Munyimi using different cellphone numbers.
Online Reporter