Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Court Correspondent
Four men from Mutare, including a lawyer, appeared in court last Friday accused of defrauding an investor in a fake gold-mining scheme worth US$256 426.
Hillary Dzuda (41), Ashley Dzuda (27), Gabriel Mapfunde (41), and Kudzai Muraicho (41) stood before Harare Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa facing fraud charges and were remanded in custody pending their bail hearing.
Aurera Ventures Private Limited, the victim in the case, was represented by its co-director and founder, Kwiakowski Marcin Kamil.
Prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti detailed how the alleged scam unfolded.
He alleged that in February last year, Hillary Dzuda approached Aurera Ventures Private Limited co-director and founder, Kwiakowski Marcin Kamil during a business meeting with other foreign investors.
Hillary Dzuda presented himself as a successful businessman seeking international partners.
He claimed ownership of multiple gold mines in Penhalonga, Mutare, and described himself as deeply involved in gold mining, processing, and trading.
Convinced by these claims, Kwiakowski agreed to a partnership.
In September, the two registered a company, Aurera Ventures Private Limited, together.
The following month, Kwiakowski met Hillary Dzuda again, who introduced Ashley Dzuda and Mapfunde as business associates.
During this meeting, the investor handed over US$256 426 in cash, intended to fund mining operations at Redwing Mine in Mutare.
The accused assured him that the venture would yield US$1,8 million within three months.
The promised returns never materialised.
When Kwiakowski inquired, the accused blamed delays, claiming they had 3kg of gold yet to be sold.
Ashley Dzuda sent financial reports showing a cash flow of US$256 426 as of January 31 this year.
Kwiakowski instructed Hillary Dzuda to deposit the amount into the company’s account to facilitate further investment. Instead, Hillary claimed US$200,000 had been paid as a deposit to Tripple D Mining Syndicate for a mining claim.
Hillary Dzuda allegedly collaborated with Muraicho to deceive the investor further. Muraicho, acting as a legal practitioner, wrote a letter stating that the law firm held US$200 000 on behalf of Tripple D Mining Syndicate.
Investigations later revealed the law firm had not received the funds.
The firm’s principal denied any involvement, accusing Muraicho of acting without authorisation.
Further inquiries exposed inconsistencies. The alleged transaction purportedly occurred in February this year, but evidence pointed to August 2024.
Realising he had been defrauded, Kwiakowski reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused. A search of Hillary Dzuda’s workplace in Penhalonga uncovered 22,88g of suspected gold in a safe.
He failed to produce a valid licence for the gold, resulting in an additional charge of unlawful possession of gold.
The scam allegedly left the investor out of pocket by US$256 426.
None of the money has been recovered. Hillary Dzuda faces a separate extra charge for the illegal possession of gold.
