News / Local
Conman masquirade as donor targets women
18 Dec 2015 at 08:37hrs | Views
A conman who masqueraded as a donor out to help disabled children has been arrested in connection with the offence.
Shingirai Samukupe appeared before senior Mutare magistrate, Mrs Sekai Chiundura facing four counts of fraud as defined in Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Fletcher Karombe told the court that in May this year at Mutare Rural Police Camp, Samukupe defrauded Agnes Matunhira of $71, 50 as joining fee after he told her he had a donor who will help disabled children with $500.
"Samukupe claimed he had a donor who will help disabled children in the society. Matunhira went on to pay $71, 50 as joining fee. After discovering that she has been conned, Matunhira reported the matter to the police leading to Samukupe's arrest," said Karombe.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge. It is alleged Samukupe further defrauded Ethel Zondo at the same venue, technique and time.
He assured his victims that once joining fee has been paid, the donor will facilitate the release of a $500 loan which will help her and her disabled child. Zondo paid the joining fee. He denied the charge.
Karombe told the court that in May and at Mutare Rural Camp, Samukupe used the same method to dupe Enia Chikuta of $230.
"He was paid $230 by Chikuta and never fulfilled his promises. Chikuta went on to lodge a police report after discovering that Samukupe was a conman leading to his arrest," said Karombe.
He denied the charge again saying he was only sent by his superiors with the forms in which the complainants signed.
Samukupe said "I was only sent with the forms which the complainants had to sign. They signed and gave me the money which I submitted to my bosses in Harare."
He also defrauded Nyaradzai Chitanda of $150 using the same method. The matter was remanded to December 29 and Samukupe was granted $200 bail with stringent conditions. He was ordered to continue residing on his given address, report every Friday at Dangamvura Police Station and should not interfere with State witnesses.
Shingirai Samukupe appeared before senior Mutare magistrate, Mrs Sekai Chiundura facing four counts of fraud as defined in Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Fletcher Karombe told the court that in May this year at Mutare Rural Police Camp, Samukupe defrauded Agnes Matunhira of $71, 50 as joining fee after he told her he had a donor who will help disabled children with $500.
"Samukupe claimed he had a donor who will help disabled children in the society. Matunhira went on to pay $71, 50 as joining fee. After discovering that she has been conned, Matunhira reported the matter to the police leading to Samukupe's arrest," said Karombe.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge. It is alleged Samukupe further defrauded Ethel Zondo at the same venue, technique and time.
He assured his victims that once joining fee has been paid, the donor will facilitate the release of a $500 loan which will help her and her disabled child. Zondo paid the joining fee. He denied the charge.
Karombe told the court that in May and at Mutare Rural Camp, Samukupe used the same method to dupe Enia Chikuta of $230.
"He was paid $230 by Chikuta and never fulfilled his promises. Chikuta went on to lodge a police report after discovering that Samukupe was a conman leading to his arrest," said Karombe.
He denied the charge again saying he was only sent by his superiors with the forms in which the complainants signed.
Samukupe said "I was only sent with the forms which the complainants had to sign. They signed and gave me the money which I submitted to my bosses in Harare."
He also defrauded Nyaradzai Chitanda of $150 using the same method. The matter was remanded to December 29 and Samukupe was granted $200 bail with stringent conditions. He was ordered to continue residing on his given address, report every Friday at Dangamvura Police Station and should not interfere with State witnesses.
Source - Manica Post
