News / National
3 arrested in fake car registration loan scam
3 hrs ago | Views
Police have arrested three suspected fraudsters who allegedly hired vehicles and forged national identity documents and car registration books to secure loans from financial institutions, which they never repaid. Investigations revealed that a fourth suspect, only identified as Cosy, remains at large and is believed to be the mastermind behind the manufacturing of fake vehicle registration documents used in the scheme.
The syndicate is believed to have hired vehicles from car rental companies and used forged papers to secure loans ranging between US$6,000 and US$7,000 from at least three financial institutions. Their scheme unraveled on February 19 when they attempted to secure a loan using a hired Toyota Fortuner. They had already forged a fake national identity card and a fraudulent vehicle registration book in the name of one of the suspects. However, the financial institution became suspicious and conducted an inquiry, leading to their arrest.
CID spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri confirmed the arrests and revealed that authorities recovered several incriminating items, including an Acer laptop, an HP desktop computer, a commissioner of oaths stamp, blank plastic materials used for fake identity cards, and other documents linked to the fraud.
The arrested suspects, all from Harare, have been identified as Tichaenzana Aloius Muteerwa, 33, of Glen View 8; Rashid Percy Muchena, 38, of Waterfalls; and John Tevere of Glen View 7.
Detective Inspector Muteweri stated that the suspects had been operating the scheme from mid-December last year until February 20. She added that police are now hunting for Cosy, the alleged mastermind, as investigations continue.
The syndicate is believed to have hired vehicles from car rental companies and used forged papers to secure loans ranging between US$6,000 and US$7,000 from at least three financial institutions. Their scheme unraveled on February 19 when they attempted to secure a loan using a hired Toyota Fortuner. They had already forged a fake national identity card and a fraudulent vehicle registration book in the name of one of the suspects. However, the financial institution became suspicious and conducted an inquiry, leading to their arrest.
The arrested suspects, all from Harare, have been identified as Tichaenzana Aloius Muteerwa, 33, of Glen View 8; Rashid Percy Muchena, 38, of Waterfalls; and John Tevere of Glen View 7.
Detective Inspector Muteweri stated that the suspects had been operating the scheme from mid-December last year until February 20. She added that police are now hunting for Cosy, the alleged mastermind, as investigations continue.
Source - the herald
