Job-seeker duped of US$3 900 by a UK-based care worker

Prosper Dembedza

Herald Correspondent

A UK-based care worker has appeared in court on allegations of defrauding a local job seeker of US$3 900 under the pretext that he would use the money to facilitate a Certificate of Sponsorship for him.

Erick Musoma was granted US$100 bail when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tapiwa Kuhudzai.

State prosecutor, Lawrence Gangarawe, alleges that sometime in January 2024, Mhlanga approached the accused, looking for assistance in preparing paperwork for a Certificate of Sponsorship.

The court heard that Musoma agreed to assist the complainant and requested US$3 900, which was to be paid in instalments.

The accused promised the complainant that the process would be done in six weeks’ time.

After that verbal agreement, Musoma told the complainant to pay the instalments through his cousin, Tatenda Mapfumo.

Prosecutor Gangarawe further alleges that the complainant, on various occasions, paid the full amount of cash proposed to Mapfumo and waited for the stipulated time promised.

After six weeks, the complainant contacted Masoma inquiring about the position of the Certificate of Sponsorship and the accused gave him fake promises and later became evasive.

On January 14, 2025, the complainant reported the matter to the police, and investigations carried out led to the arrest of the accused person.