News / National
Bogus doctor dupes job seekers
05 Dec 2013 at 16:30hrs | Views
Fake medical doctor - Obadiah Mutore aka Dr Dhliwayo
POLICE in Mutare on Monday arrested a fake medical doctor who allegedly fleeced unsuspecting job seekers of various amounts in compulsory medical exams, which he claimed the victims had to undergo to secure jobs at his three surgeries in the town.
The suspect, Obadiah Mutore (41), of Dangamvura is facing five counts of fraud.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Enock Chishiri said Mutore was in police custody and investigations were continuing.
He identified some of his victims as Bridget Martha Simango, Mariam Mutakura, Junior Gwitirwa, Arthur Muremeredzo and Daniel Mukondomi - all of Mutare.
The scam was perpetrated between October 20 and November 25.
"The accused hatched a plan to defraud job seekers by masquerading as Dr Dhliwayo. In many occasions, he wore a stethoscope around his neck to convince his targets.
"He lied to the unsuspecting job seekers that he was set to open three surgeries in Mutare's CBD area under New Hope Foundation Surgery. The victims were made to believe that many people were set to be employed at the three surgeries with the least paid employee getting $800," said Insp Chishiri.
Through such misrepresentations of high salaries, many unsuspecting job seekers became interested in working for him.
"Some of the victims left their jobs for the purported greener pastures and little did they know that they were dealing with a fraudster.
"After convincing his clients, Mutore asked them to pay between $60 and $1 000 for medical examinations, a process which one has to go through to get a job. The complainants paid different amounts and were taken to Baines Clinic for medical exams where blood samples were taken for $16.
Mutore pocketed the difference and later converted it to his own use," said Insp Chishiri.
Mutore allegedly went on to issue assumption of duty letters to his victims.
The notices bore different dates to start work.
"On November 25, detectives received a tip-off and investigations led to his arrest. We recovered the stethoscope and several assumptions of duty letters. He prejudiced the complainants of a total $2 197, of which nothing was recovered," said Insp Chishiri.
He appealed to members of the public who could have fallen victim to Mutore to approach Mutare CID.
"We feel several innocent people could have been swindled and we call upon them to approach the police. It is also our appeal to the public to carry out thorough background checks of prospective employers before being made to pay anything," said Insp Chishiri.
The suspect, Obadiah Mutore (41), of Dangamvura is facing five counts of fraud.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Enock Chishiri said Mutore was in police custody and investigations were continuing.
He identified some of his victims as Bridget Martha Simango, Mariam Mutakura, Junior Gwitirwa, Arthur Muremeredzo and Daniel Mukondomi - all of Mutare.
The scam was perpetrated between October 20 and November 25.
"The accused hatched a plan to defraud job seekers by masquerading as Dr Dhliwayo. In many occasions, he wore a stethoscope around his neck to convince his targets.
"He lied to the unsuspecting job seekers that he was set to open three surgeries in Mutare's CBD area under New Hope Foundation Surgery. The victims were made to believe that many people were set to be employed at the three surgeries with the least paid employee getting $800," said Insp Chishiri.
Through such misrepresentations of high salaries, many unsuspecting job seekers became interested in working for him.
"After convincing his clients, Mutore asked them to pay between $60 and $1 000 for medical examinations, a process which one has to go through to get a job. The complainants paid different amounts and were taken to Baines Clinic for medical exams where blood samples were taken for $16.
Mutore pocketed the difference and later converted it to his own use," said Insp Chishiri.
Mutore allegedly went on to issue assumption of duty letters to his victims.
The notices bore different dates to start work.
"On November 25, detectives received a tip-off and investigations led to his arrest. We recovered the stethoscope and several assumptions of duty letters. He prejudiced the complainants of a total $2 197, of which nothing was recovered," said Insp Chishiri.
He appealed to members of the public who could have fallen victim to Mutore to approach Mutare CID.
"We feel several innocent people could have been swindled and we call upon them to approach the police. It is also our appeal to the public to carry out thorough background checks of prospective employers before being made to pay anything," said Insp Chishiri.
Source - Manicapost
