Fraudsters Busted in Bulawayo Money Transfer Scam of US$12,000

Two men have been arrested in connection with a US$12,000 fraud at a Harare money transfer company, with one of the accused attempting to collect the stolen funds in Bulawayo before being apprehended by police.

Njovo Munashe (25) of Masvingo, and Mike Mbekezeli Moyo (24) of Bulawayo’s Khumalo suburb, have been charged with fraud after an employee at the money transfer firm tipped off authorities about the scam.

According to Bulawayo Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube, the incident unfolded on August 21st when the source informed officers that Munashe, who worked as a teller at the Mbare branch, had allegedly defrauded the company of US$12,000.

“On the 21st of August 2024 at around 1445 hours, police received information from the source that the accused person Njovo Munashe, a male adult aged 25 years of Mucheke, Masvingo, who was working as a teller in the money transfer company at Harare Mbare has defrauded their company of cash amounting to US$12 000-00 and he is on the run,” said Inspector Ncube.

The spokesperson said that the source further revealed that Munashe had sent a fraudulent transaction of US$5,900 and instructed his accomplice, Moyo, to collect the money on his behalf.

“The source further stated that Njovo Munashe had sent her a fraudulent transaction of US$5 900-00 and was sending his accomplice, Mike Mbekezeli Moyo, a male adult aged 24 years of Khumalo suburb, Bulawayo to collect the money on his behalf,” Ncube explained.

Acting swiftly on the tip-off, police officers were able to apprehend Moyo as he arrived to collect the illicit funds.

“On the same day at 1515 hours, a team of police officers reacted to the information, and managed to arrest Mike Mbekezeli Moyo who had come to collect the money,” the police spokesperson said.

The net closed in on Munashe the following day when he travelled to Bulawayo in an attempt to retrieve the stolen cash from his co-conspirator.

“On the 22nd of August 2024 at around 0800 hours, Njovo Munashe then arrived in Bulawayo in a bid to collect the money from his accomplices Mike Mbekezeli Moyo. He was then arrested and upon interview by the police, he admitted that he was creating fake deposit transactions to aid him in defrauding the company,” Ncube revealed.

The police praised the public for their assistance in thwarting the fraud scheme.

“Police would like to thank the public for working hand in hand with the police in curbing crimes,” Ncube said.

He added, “We also warn the criminals that police will not tolerate such criminal behaviour, and the long hand of law is hovering over their heads