Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Zimeye
Published on 2024-02-23 03:59:51
Two individuals from Harare, Innocent Chimutsi, aged 44, and Tawanda Marabada, 36, have been charged with impersonating Criminal Investigations Department (CID) police officers and engaging in fraudulent activities. They appeared before Harare Magistrate Mr. Dennis Mangosi and were granted US$100 bail each, with their case remanded to April 4 pending trial.
The alleged fraud took place in January 2024 when Andsen Patson came across a Facebook advertisement posted by the accused. The advertisement falsely offered Certificates of Sponsorship (COS) for individuals intending to travel to the United Kingdom. Patson, interested in obtaining a COS for his wife’s travel plans, fell victim to their scheme and made a hefty deposit of 4,000 British Pounds out of the total charge of 5,500 British Pounds. The payment was made through Patson’s uncle residing in the UK.
After receiving what was purported to be an offer letter and the COS via a WhatsApp account, Patson discovered that the COS was counterfeit during his wife’s visa application process. When he tried to reach out to Chimutsi and Marabada, there was no response from them.
Things took an even more bizarre turn when Chimutsi, using the same Facebook account, contacted Patson claiming to be a CID detective investigating the case that Patson had never reported to the police. Sensing something was amiss, Patson consulted with officers at Harare Central Police, who set up a sting operation.
Under police surveillance, Chimutsi demanded US$100 from Patson for fuel expenses to recover the lost money, along with an additional demand of 500 British Pounds as compensation upon recovery. The meeting took place at the Monomutapa Building and led to the apprehension of Chimutsi and Marabada by ZRP Harare Central police officers.
This case highlights the alarming trend of social media being used as a platform for sophisticated scams, where unsuspecting victims are ensnared through the guise of official authority. It serves as a reminder of the vigilance needed when dealing with online transactions and the importance of verifying the authenticity of such offers.
The defendants have been charged with impersonation and fraudulent activities, and their case is set for trial on April 4. The magistrate granted each of the accused US$100 bail. This case underscores the need for individuals to exercise caution and due diligence, especially on social media, to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes. The defendants will have to face the consequences of their actions, and their trial on April 4 will determine their fate.
Read the original article on The Zimbabwe Eye
