News / National
Fake Health Ministry officer jailed 12 yrs for nurse training scam
3 hrs ago | Views
A woman who masterminded an elaborate scam targeting job seekers by impersonating a Ministry of Health official has been sentenced to 12 years in prison, with 10 years suspended. Patricia Muyambo Magazini was convicted of defrauding desperate individuals of over US$40,000 through a fake nurse training recruitment scheme.
Magazini, who posed as a government health worker stationed at Mashoko Hospital, lured victims by promising them guaranteed placements in nursing programs, complete with training, accommodation, and uniforms. The victims were left devastated after discovering they had been duped.
Chipinge Magistrate Court found Magazini guilty on nine counts of fraud following an investigation that revealed her manipulation of at least nine victims over several months. The scam was carefully crafted, with Magazini using her connections within religious networks and community intermediaries to build trust and exploit her victims' aspirations.
In one case, prosecutors revealed that Magazini contacted a prophetess, claiming gratitude for prayers, before using the religious connection as a stepping stone to recruit job seekers for the bogus nursing program. She convinced them that their names would be published in State-run newspapers such as The Herald and Sunday Mail as confirmation of their successful enrollment.
Magazini instructed victims to send money for the training program through popular remittance services such as Mojo Moola, Innbucks, Mukuru, and Ecocash. Payments were collected through intermediaries, who consolidated funds from multiple individuals, further enabling her scam.
When some of the victims began to grow suspicious, Magazini continued to manipulate them with excuses and reassurances, maintaining the deception for months. Her fraudulent actions not only caused significant financial losses but also left a trail of emotional damage among the victims who had hoped for a better future.
Despite the severity of the offense, the court decided to suspend 10 years of her sentence on the condition that she pays restitution and maintains good behavior. She will serve only two years in prison unless she breaches the terms of her suspended sentence within the next five years.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of job seekers and the lengths to which scammers will go to exploit their dreams.
Magazini, who posed as a government health worker stationed at Mashoko Hospital, lured victims by promising them guaranteed placements in nursing programs, complete with training, accommodation, and uniforms. The victims were left devastated after discovering they had been duped.
Chipinge Magistrate Court found Magazini guilty on nine counts of fraud following an investigation that revealed her manipulation of at least nine victims over several months. The scam was carefully crafted, with Magazini using her connections within religious networks and community intermediaries to build trust and exploit her victims' aspirations.
In one case, prosecutors revealed that Magazini contacted a prophetess, claiming gratitude for prayers, before using the religious connection as a stepping stone to recruit job seekers for the bogus nursing program. She convinced them that their names would be published in State-run newspapers such as The Herald and Sunday Mail as confirmation of their successful enrollment.
When some of the victims began to grow suspicious, Magazini continued to manipulate them with excuses and reassurances, maintaining the deception for months. Her fraudulent actions not only caused significant financial losses but also left a trail of emotional damage among the victims who had hoped for a better future.
Despite the severity of the offense, the court decided to suspend 10 years of her sentence on the condition that she pays restitution and maintains good behavior. She will serve only two years in prison unless she breaches the terms of her suspended sentence within the next five years.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of job seekers and the lengths to which scammers will go to exploit their dreams.
Source - Masvingo Mirror
