Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Court Correspondent
Three suspected hackers from Chitungwiza appeared in court yesterday for allegedly defrauding a pensioner of ZWL$172 349 999 and US$733 by hacking into his banking accounts.
Mirriam Matiyenga (47), Chipo Varaidzo Mary Moyana (45) and Oswald Nyika (35) appeared before Harare Magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa facing charges of hacking.
They were each granted US$300 bail and remanded to March 26.
The complainant, Mr Edson Chisina (55), a recently retired civil servant from Chimanimani, had been anticipating the receipt of his retirement benefits when the crime occurred.
According to prosecutor Mr Anesu Chirenje, Mr Chisina retired from his post on November 26, 2023, and his benefits were deposited into his CBZ bank accounts on December 21, 2023. The deposits amounted to ZWL$370 759 874,73 and US$350 000.
However, on the same day Mr Chisina’s Econet mobile number linked to his bank accounts suddenly lost network service. After replacing his SIM card, Mr Chisina began receiving notifications of the unauthorised transactions.
Realising his accounts had been heavily debited, he immediately filed a police report.
Detectives investigating the case traced some of the stolen money to the Blue Light Logistics CBZ account, which was linked to one of the suspects, Nyika, leading to the arrest of others.
Of the total amount in question, nothing was recovered.
