Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
A SMOOTH-TALKING 26-year-old man from Gwabalanda allegedly scammed an EcoCash agent out of $550 in a well-orchestrated mobile money con.
Blessed Nyathi appeared before Magistrate Archie Wochiwunga this week facing fraud charges after allegedly lying about having cash in his wallet, only to vanish after two mobile money transactions went through.
According to court prosecutor Audrey Kufandikanwe, the incident happened on February 26, 2025, around 10 am, at an EcoCash booth in Magwegwe North.
Nyathi allegedly approached Meluleki Moyo (31), who runs the outlet, and requested a $140 transfer to his EcoCash account. He claimed the cash was in his wallet and promised to pay immediately.
After the first transaction, Nyathi reportedly sweet-talked Moyo into making a second transfer of $410, again assuring him he would hand over the cash right after.
But once both transactions were completed, Moyo realised something was off. Nyathi had no intention of paying.
When Moyo asked for the money, Nyathi cooked up a story, claiming the people he had sent the funds to were refusing to return the money.
In an attempt to avoid arrest, Nyathi sent $95 back to Moyo the next day, begging him not to report the matter to police. He promised to settle the remaining balance within three days. He didn’t.
With only a fraction of the money recovered, Nyathi was granted $550 bail, which can be paid either in USD or Zimbabwean dollars at the bank rate of the day.
As part of his bail conditions, he is not allowed to interfere with State witnesses and must report to Luveve Police Station every second Friday between 6 am and 6 pm.
The case has been remanded to June 23, 2025.
derick.khumalo