News / National
Bulawayo woman loses US$5 730 trying to secure UK sponsorship
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Two women, Nokuthula Sibanda and Nothando Ndlovu, have been arrested for allegedly defrauding a woman of US$5,730 by falsely promising to secure a UK sponsorship certificate for her daughter.
The UK Scholarship Sponsorship Certificate is a key document for students looking to study in the United Kingdom, as it confirms eligibility for scholarships or sponsorships, and is crucial for visa applications.
According to police reports, the two women conspired in March 2023 to offer facilitation services for the sponsorship certificate. They demanded a registration fee of US$230, in addition to a processing fee of US$5,300. The complainant, seeking to help her daughter study in the UK, agreed to the terms and made the payments.
On May 2, 2023, the woman paid the full amount, including the registration fee and the processing fee. She then paid the remaining US$200 the following day, after being assured by the accused that her daughter would be able to travel to the UK by August 2023. However, when she followed up with the two women, she received conflicting and unclear information about the progress of the sponsorship.
Frustrated and suspicious, the complainant reported the matter to the police. Investigations led to the arrest of Sibanda and Ndlovu, who were subsequently charged with fraud.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the police confirmed the arrests, stating, "Nokuthula Sibanda and Nothando Ndlovu were arraigned before the Magistrates' court in Bulawayo on allegations of fraud. The state is alleging that the two accused persons promised to facilitate the process of securing a UK sponsorship certificate for the complainant's daughter in exchange for payments totaling US$5,730. The complainant did not receive the services promised, leading to her reporting the matter to the police."
The total amount defrauded from the complainant was US$5,730, with no money recovered. The case highlights the growing issue of fraudulent schemes targeting individuals seeking educational opportunities abroad. Sibanda and Ndlovu are set to appear in court as investigations continue.
The UK Scholarship Sponsorship Certificate is a key document for students looking to study in the United Kingdom, as it confirms eligibility for scholarships or sponsorships, and is crucial for visa applications.
According to police reports, the two women conspired in March 2023 to offer facilitation services for the sponsorship certificate. They demanded a registration fee of US$230, in addition to a processing fee of US$5,300. The complainant, seeking to help her daughter study in the UK, agreed to the terms and made the payments.
On May 2, 2023, the woman paid the full amount, including the registration fee and the processing fee. She then paid the remaining US$200 the following day, after being assured by the accused that her daughter would be able to travel to the UK by August 2023. However, when she followed up with the two women, she received conflicting and unclear information about the progress of the sponsorship.
Frustrated and suspicious, the complainant reported the matter to the police. Investigations led to the arrest of Sibanda and Ndlovu, who were subsequently charged with fraud.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the police confirmed the arrests, stating, "Nokuthula Sibanda and Nothando Ndlovu were arraigned before the Magistrates' court in Bulawayo on allegations of fraud. The state is alleging that the two accused persons promised to facilitate the process of securing a UK sponsorship certificate for the complainant's daughter in exchange for payments totaling US$5,730. The complainant did not receive the services promised, leading to her reporting the matter to the police."
The total amount defrauded from the complainant was US$5,730, with no money recovered. The case highlights the growing issue of fraudulent schemes targeting individuals seeking educational opportunities abroad. Sibanda and Ndlovu are set to appear in court as investigations continue.
Source - the chroncile
