News / National
Zimbabwe based Bulgarian up for vehicle theft
4 hrs ago | Views
The bail hearing for 33-year-old Bulgarian investor Adam Markov, arrested on charges of stealing and smuggling a Jeep Cherokee from South Africa, is set for today.
Markov was apprehended by detectives from the CID Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS), with assistance from Interpol, and appeared in court on Saturday. He was remanded in custody pending the bail proceedings.
According to the State, Markov allegedly stole the Jeep Cherokee in South Africa before smuggling it into Zimbabwe using fake registration plates, AGQ 6923. Detectives from CID VTS Harare acted on intelligence and recovered the vehicle from Markov.
During an inspection, authorities discovered that the vehicle's chassis number had been tampered with, replaced by a fake number, 1C4RJFFGXCC167643, while the original engine number, CC142923, remained intact. An Interpol check revealed the car's true identity and confirmed it had been reported stolen in South Africa.
Efforts are underway to identify and contact the vehicle's rightful owner in South Africa.
Markov previously made headlines in September, claiming he had been defrauded of US$200,000 in a gold mine investment scheme allegedly orchestrated by Zimbabwean businessmen Barnabas Kavai, a director at KPM Mining, and Ashley Makara, owner of Crown Mine in Guruve.
However, new developments suggest that Markov's allegations were part of a broader scheme to seize control of the businessmen's assets. Authorities believe Markov fabricated the fraud claims to manipulate perceptions and gain leverage over Kavai and Makara's mining operations and other business interests.
The investigation into the stolen Jeep Cherokee and Markov's alleged schemes continues as law enforcement examines the Bulgarian investor's activities in Zimbabwe.v
Markov was apprehended by detectives from the CID Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS), with assistance from Interpol, and appeared in court on Saturday. He was remanded in custody pending the bail proceedings.
According to the State, Markov allegedly stole the Jeep Cherokee in South Africa before smuggling it into Zimbabwe using fake registration plates, AGQ 6923. Detectives from CID VTS Harare acted on intelligence and recovered the vehicle from Markov.
During an inspection, authorities discovered that the vehicle's chassis number had been tampered with, replaced by a fake number, 1C4RJFFGXCC167643, while the original engine number, CC142923, remained intact. An Interpol check revealed the car's true identity and confirmed it had been reported stolen in South Africa.
Efforts are underway to identify and contact the vehicle's rightful owner in South Africa.
Markov previously made headlines in September, claiming he had been defrauded of US$200,000 in a gold mine investment scheme allegedly orchestrated by Zimbabwean businessmen Barnabas Kavai, a director at KPM Mining, and Ashley Makara, owner of Crown Mine in Guruve.
However, new developments suggest that Markov's allegations were part of a broader scheme to seize control of the businessmen's assets. Authorities believe Markov fabricated the fraud claims to manipulate perceptions and gain leverage over Kavai and Makara's mining operations and other business interests.
The investigation into the stolen Jeep Cherokee and Markov's alleged schemes continues as law enforcement examines the Bulgarian investor's activities in Zimbabwe.v
Source - The Herald
