A-RUWA man who impersonated a police officer and robbed her of US$98 000 in a botched Ponzi scheme was today arraigned before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi to answer to the charges.
The suspect, Shephard Chibaya (34) was remanded in custody until November 24.
It is alleged that he committed the offence sometime in February 2019, after he engaged the complainant Mary Norah Chiweshe to join his Ponzi scheme called Beven Capital and invest money.
During the same month, Chiweshe injected US$150 000 into the scheme after she was informed that she will get 50% interest after six weeks.
The interest she was supposed to earn accumulated to US$300 000. When she decided to withdraw the money, she could not locate Beven Capital Investments offices after they were closed during the COVID-19 period.
She got in touch with Chibaya but he was evasive.
After some days, the accused told the complainant that he had engaged the boss, and was told that all the scheme's money was held at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) offices due to lack of payment of taxes.
Chibaya said US$58 000 was needed to get Zimra to release the funds. Chiweshe then gave Chibaya the money.
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After some days, Chibaya told Chiweshe that Zimra had released the money, but added that he had been intercepted by police detectives who seized US$200 000 and they needed US$13 000 to release it.
The complainant gave the accused the US$13 000 anticipating that he would come with the US$200 000 from the police detectives.
Later, Chibaya told Chiweshe that he had been arrested and needed US$1800 to pay a police officer for his release.
Chiweshe agreed to pay and was instructed to give the money to a taxi driver, one Innocent Kavhura.
The following day, Chibaya then told Chiweshe that he was at the Harare magistrates’ court and was in need of US$3800 to top up his legal fees.
Chiweshe went to the court and gave him US$3200 and her Samsung S20 phone to top up.
Chibaya later texted her pretending to be a police officer, and indicating that he (Chibaya) had suffered brain shock whilst in police cells and had been admitted under police guard at Parirenyatwa Hospital. He also said no visits were permitted.
After three week, Chibaya, still impersonating a police officer texted Chiweshe advising her that he (Chibaya) had passed away. Chibaya identified himself as Inspector Kufakunesu Mushayi.
He even vowed to assist the complainant to get her money back from Ben Capital if she gave him US$27 000.
The complainant gave the alleged police officer the money in batches through the taxi driver (Kavhura).
As she made numerous follow ups to get her money back, Chibaya kept requesting more money pretending to be Inspector Mushayi.
Sensing that she was being swindled, Chiweshe then made a police report leading to the arrest of Chibaya.
No money was recovered.
