FORMER Croco-Motors accounting executive, Joe Leeroy (38), appeared before Harare Magistrate Sandra Mupindu accused of duping Bureau Veritas of close to US$120 000 in a two Ford Transit vehicle purchase deal.
Leeroy, who was employed by Croco Motors as the accounting executive until his contract was terminated on August 9, was, however, granted a US$500 bail.
According to court papers, sometime in July, the complainant wanted to purchase two Ford Transit buses specifically from Croco Motors (Pvt) Ltd.
As such the complainant inquired with Croco Motors (Pvt) Ltd and was assisted by the accused person and they exchanged email addresses for further communication and clarification.
It is alleged that on July 18, the accused sent a quotation to the complainant for the said vehicles for US$119 954 via his email.
The accused further sent the complainant Steward Bank account details to make payment and before the complainant paid, the accused sent another email on July 22 redirecting him to transfer the money to an offshore account in Romania.
The complainant questioned the accused on why they had to transfer the money to a foreign account in Romania but the accused insisted stating that it was much easier to transfer and that the account belonged to Croco Motors.
It is alleged that on July 24, the complainant made the payment from its Standard Bank South African account.
- Ex-Croco Motors executive in US$120k fraud
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After payment the complainant engaged the accused who kept on assuring the complainant that all was well and that they were sorting out the issue.
The complainant eventually went to Croco Motors where he showed the proof of payment to general manager Finance Taruva Taruva and requested to collect the vehicles.
Taruva looked at the proof of payment and advised the complainant that they do not hold any account in Romania let alone an offshore account.
The complainant insisted that he was given the account details by the accused person and verifications were made through the Croco Motors IT department and it was established that it was indeed the accused who sent complainant the offshore account details purporting that they belonged to Croco Motors.
As a result of the accused’s actions, the complainant suffered an actual prejudice of US$119 954 and nothing was recovered.
