News / National
Two con women nabbed
02 Feb 2013 at 22:29hrs | Views
Two cheeky Harare women were yesterday arrested for allegedly swindling desperate home-seekers out of thousands of United States dollars by collecting rentals for a house already being leased to Caps United Football Club.
Thandekile Dube and Kristel Moyo Smasher's money-spinning project only came to an end after one of their victims spotted them near the Exhibition Park in Harare.
Harare police spokesperson Inspector Tadious Chibanda said Dube (39) and Smasher (28) were still in police custody by late yesterday afternoon.
"I can confirm that our officers arrested the two who stand accused of swindling several home-seekers of cash running into several thousands of United States dollars in rent and lease scams in Harare," he said.
"Dube is believed to be the mastermind behind most of the scams. She, however, ended up delegating some of the 'smaller' jobs to Smasher."
According to the police spokesman, Dube and Smasher allegedly targeted the clubhouse in Belvedere early last year.
The house is home to Caps United players.
It is alleged the daring pair attracted scores of home-seekers by flighting "House to let" advertisements in the Press.
They would then allegedly take the unsuspecting victims for a tour of the property after ensuring the players were away. In certain instances, they collected rentals spreading over two to six months, only for the unfortunate victims to run into the footballers after returning to occupy the house.
"Several cases were reported to Milton Park Police Station, the Criminal Investigation Department (Fraud) and the Commercial Crime Unit.
"We are still compiling the exact number of people who were duped."
Inspector Chibanda said more victims were expected to come forward, adding that the suspects would appear in court soon.
Thandekile Dube and Kristel Moyo Smasher's money-spinning project only came to an end after one of their victims spotted them near the Exhibition Park in Harare.
Harare police spokesperson Inspector Tadious Chibanda said Dube (39) and Smasher (28) were still in police custody by late yesterday afternoon.
"I can confirm that our officers arrested the two who stand accused of swindling several home-seekers of cash running into several thousands of United States dollars in rent and lease scams in Harare," he said.
"Dube is believed to be the mastermind behind most of the scams. She, however, ended up delegating some of the 'smaller' jobs to Smasher."
According to the police spokesman, Dube and Smasher allegedly targeted the clubhouse in Belvedere early last year.
The house is home to Caps United players.
They would then allegedly take the unsuspecting victims for a tour of the property after ensuring the players were away. In certain instances, they collected rentals spreading over two to six months, only for the unfortunate victims to run into the footballers after returning to occupy the house.
"Several cases were reported to Milton Park Police Station, the Criminal Investigation Department (Fraud) and the Commercial Crime Unit.
"We are still compiling the exact number of people who were duped."
Inspector Chibanda said more victims were expected to come forward, adding that the suspects would appear in court soon.
Source - SM
