Fake notes flood the city

A FAKE notes syndicate is reportedly on the prowl in Bulawayo, targeting unsuspecting business people at night.

The syndicate, involving four men, was reportedly spotted at Glengarry and Mahatshula shopping centres on Friday with large sums of fake notes, especially $100 and $50 notes.

A shop attendant at Glengarry Supermarket, reportedly fell prey to one of the men and lost more than $40 in the process.

The syndicate, which was travelling in a white commuter omnibus, later proceeded to Gunya Bottle Store in Mahatshula to "spend" their fake money, but was not successful as the shop attendants got suspicious and started questioning them about their money.

When Chronicle visited the two shopping centres yesterday, the shop attendants said there was a sudden proliferation of fake notes although they were always alert.

Mr Wonder Ngwenya, who works at Glengarry Supermarket, said he fell victim to the gang, which bought some groceries using the money.

"It happened last week and it was for the second time. A smartly dressed man walked into the shop and I did not suspect anything. He bought a few items worth $7 and produced a $100 note. I told him that I did not have change and he then produced a bunch of 100 rand notes. He later gave me a $50 note after I told him that I preferred United States dollars," said Mr Ngwenya.

"I did not suspect that the money could be fake and I gave him $43 change. After about 20 minutes I realised that I had been cheated but it was too late for me to trace the man because he had already left and I did not observe the car he was driving."

Mr Ngwenya said he did not bother to report the matter to the police and decided to replace his boss' money.

"I did not tell my boss or report the matter to the police because it was my fault. I trusted a stranger and it cost me. I replaced the money and pretended as if nothing happened.

"I had never seen that person in this area and I suspect that he was travelling to Harare," said Mr Ngwenya.

He said the reason why the area was targeted by fake notes peddlers and robbers is that it is far from the nearest police stations, Queens Park and Faibridge.

Another worker at Gunya Bottle Store, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the syndicate visited the shop at about 7pm and ordered a few beers before producing their fake money.

"The four men were travelling in a white kombi and when they entered the bottle store, one of them produced a bunch of $100 notes and ordered some beers and also offered me a pack of beers.

"I realised that the money was fake without using a detector because it did not have some of the security features. I told him that his money had a problem but he insisted that his money was okay.

I then suggested that we use a detector to prove that the money was not fake but he quickly grabbed the $100 note and disappeared.

"His accomplices had sensed danger and went to the vehicle. They drove off and never came back.

This is one of the many incidences that we have experienced here. In December I lost $100 to a similar syndicate, but now this cannot happen because we use money detectors on the notes that we receive from our customers," he said.

Acting Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu urged business people to report such cases to the police to stop further circulation of the fake notes.

"The issue of counterfeit notes is serious and people must use money detectors during their transactions. It is also important to report any fake notes peddlers to the police even if it is an attempt or there is little money involved.

"This will give us guidelines as the police to trace the syndicate, get rid of the fake notes and bring the culprits to book," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.

Two weeks ago unsuspecting dealers in Mupandawana Growth Point in Gutu, Masvingo, were left counting their losses after fake notes flooded the area during the Heroes musical gala.
Four people were arrested in connection with the incident.