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3 Zimbabweans arrested for investment fraud in India
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Kolkata Police arrested three Zimbabwean nationals - Tinashe Gadzikwa Praise (22), Malvern Matungamire (25), and Nyamhunga Lenon Kudakwashe (23) - from separate apartments in Mohali's Kharar area, Punjab, on Saturday. The trio is accused of duping a resident of Tollygunge out of over ₹1 crore in a kola nut investment scam.
According to police, Tinashe hails from Mutare, Malvern from Masvingo, and Nyamhunga from Bindura, all cities in Zimbabwe. The suspects allegedly lured Sandip Guha of Tollygunge with promises of high returns by investing in the trading of kola nuts, a popular African product known for its high caffeine content and growing demand in the pharmaceutical industry.
A senior police officer explained, "The three Zimbabwean nationals created fake email addresses, WhatsApp accounts, and forged letterheads purportedly from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and a UK-based global healthcare pharmaceutical company to convince the victim to invest."
The suspects told Guha that investing in kola nuts was highly lucrative, claiming even WHO was endorsing its health benefits. Persuaded by these claims, Guha transferred ₹1 crore to their bank accounts before the trio disappeared and ceased communication.
Realising he had been defrauded, Guha filed a police complaint on May 20. The cyber police station registered a case under the Information Technology Act and launched an investigation.
Following extensive tracking of transactions and money trails, police traced the suspects to Punjab. A Kolkata Police team traveled to Mohali and arrested the three.
During the arrest, officers seized six mobile phones, a laptop, and several bank documents believed to be linked to the fraud.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the scam.
According to police, Tinashe hails from Mutare, Malvern from Masvingo, and Nyamhunga from Bindura, all cities in Zimbabwe. The suspects allegedly lured Sandip Guha of Tollygunge with promises of high returns by investing in the trading of kola nuts, a popular African product known for its high caffeine content and growing demand in the pharmaceutical industry.
A senior police officer explained, "The three Zimbabwean nationals created fake email addresses, WhatsApp accounts, and forged letterheads purportedly from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and a UK-based global healthcare pharmaceutical company to convince the victim to invest."
The suspects told Guha that investing in kola nuts was highly lucrative, claiming even WHO was endorsing its health benefits. Persuaded by these claims, Guha transferred ₹1 crore to their bank accounts before the trio disappeared and ceased communication.
Realising he had been defrauded, Guha filed a police complaint on May 20. The cyber police station registered a case under the Information Technology Act and launched an investigation.
Following extensive tracking of transactions and money trails, police traced the suspects to Punjab. A Kolkata Police team traveled to Mohali and arrested the three.
During the arrest, officers seized six mobile phones, a laptop, and several bank documents believed to be linked to the fraud.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the scam.
Source - newzimbabwe
