Forex trader vanishes with investors’ profits

IF it's too good to be true, simply walk away.

That's advice one can get from a person that has been swindled off their money in "get rich quick" schemes. Probably about 25 people from Bulawayo whose money amounting to $6 000 vanished with an "investor" Shepherd Phiri are kicking and swearing at themselves.

One of the victims, Blessing Zhou told B-Metro how he got lured into giving $400 to Phiri whom he went to high school with.

"I saw a post on Facebook about forex trading and to get more details I spoke to the dealer. He promised that I would get 100 percent interest and I gave him US$400 in cash because I saw a good business opportunity," said Zhou.

Since he was dealing with a former school mate, he was promised 100 percent while those he invited would get 60 percent profit.

Zhou started recruiting people that he knew personally.

Before it was time for investors to yield their profits Zhou was nowhere to be seen.

"He vanished with our money," said another investor embarrassed to be mentioned in what she says was a " silly deal I got involved in."

Now counting their losses, they say reporting him to the police won't help much but reporting him to the Press would help others who might fall for his tricks.

"He blocked us on all platforms. We can't call or send texts, basically we know nothing about his whereabouts," said Zhou.

Another gullible investor gave him her $300 which was part of  airfares to Germany where she's due to attend school.

"I'm in trouble and this selfish guy with my money doesn't care," she said.

B-Metro called Phiri who just laughed at the accusations.

"Hahahahaha (laugh). Put it broe (write the story). I'd like to be on headlines because I know who is behind this," he said.