Online Reporter
Paul Pindani in CHINHOYI
A US$500 cash-swap scam backfired after three suspected con artists were intercepted by police moments after allegedly fleecing a petrol attendant.
The two men and a woman allegedly walked into Trillis Service Station here in Chinhoyi posing as genuine customers, before pulling off a crafty money-changing trick.
The trio allegedly offered to exchange US$10 notes for US$100 notes.
The attendant handed them five US$100 notes, worth US$500. That was when the suspects allegedly pulled their trick. They allegedly handed the attendant a bundle of bond notes, with a single US$10 note placed on top and the bundle secured with a rubber band, before making a dash.
However, their getaway did not go according to plan.
The suspects — Freedom Chipano (43) of 1118 Maridale, Norton, Nyasha Chabata (33) of 17378 Bluffhill and Shamaine Nyandoro (35) of 1181 Zengeza 4, Harare — were arrested after police in Zvimba intercepted their vehicle.
Mashonaland West Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Ian Kohwera said the trio was travelling in a white Toyota RAV4, registration number AFN 1446.
“The attendant handed the suspects five US$100 notes, totalling US$500,” said Kohwera. “After handing over the bundle of bond notes, the suspects reportedly sped off towards Chegutu along the Chinhoyi-Chegutu Road.”
Kohwera said police in Zvimba, however, moved swiftly and intercepted the vehicle.
“All three suspects were arrested,” he said.
