News / National
China deal scam unravels: Duo in court over US$27k ghost goods
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Two men who allegedly masqueraded as experts in sourcing and shipping goods from China appeared in court on Wednesday after failing to deliver merchandise worth US$27 540 that had already been paid for.
Wellington Mugodhi and Tapiwa Dhaura were charged with fraud and appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Ruth Moyo, who granted them bail. They are expected to return to court on March 3, pending the completion of investigations.
The complainant is a company represented by Wellington Motsi.
Prosecutor Mr Lawrence Gangarahwe told the court that in November 2025, Mugodhi approached the complainant claiming to be a shipping agent with the capacity to import a wide range of goods from China. Convinced by his representations, the complainant entered into a business arrangement with him.
On December 15, 2025, the complainant engaged Mugodhi to import electrical gadgets valued at US$27 540. Mugodhi allegedly assured the company that he could handle the transaction efficiently and promised delivery within 54 days.
The court heard that on the same day, Mugodhi claimed he had already paid the supplier and furnished the complainant with what he purported to be proof of payment. However, after making direct contact with the supplier in China, the complainant discovered that no payment had been made.
Further investigations revealed that the proof of payment was fake. When confronted, Mugodhi implicated his alleged accomplice, Dhaura, claiming he had handed over the money to him to complete the transaction.
After realising that it had been defrauded, the complainant reported the matter to ZRP Harare Central on January 2, 2026. The case was subsequently referred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Commercial Crimes Division (CCD) on January 3 for further investigations.
On February 3, 2026, CID CCD Harare detectives received information on the whereabouts of the two accused, leading to their arrest.
Despite repeated follow-ups by the complainant, the court heard that Mugodhi and Dhaura continued to give unsatisfactory explanations, eventually confirming that the entire transaction had been fraudulent.
The total value of the goods allegedly defrauded is US$27 540, and nothing has been recovered.
Wellington Mugodhi and Tapiwa Dhaura were charged with fraud and appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Ruth Moyo, who granted them bail. They are expected to return to court on March 3, pending the completion of investigations.
The complainant is a company represented by Wellington Motsi.
Prosecutor Mr Lawrence Gangarahwe told the court that in November 2025, Mugodhi approached the complainant claiming to be a shipping agent with the capacity to import a wide range of goods from China. Convinced by his representations, the complainant entered into a business arrangement with him.
On December 15, 2025, the complainant engaged Mugodhi to import electrical gadgets valued at US$27 540. Mugodhi allegedly assured the company that he could handle the transaction efficiently and promised delivery within 54 days.
Further investigations revealed that the proof of payment was fake. When confronted, Mugodhi implicated his alleged accomplice, Dhaura, claiming he had handed over the money to him to complete the transaction.
After realising that it had been defrauded, the complainant reported the matter to ZRP Harare Central on January 2, 2026. The case was subsequently referred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Commercial Crimes Division (CCD) on January 3 for further investigations.
On February 3, 2026, CID CCD Harare detectives received information on the whereabouts of the two accused, leading to their arrest.
Despite repeated follow-ups by the complainant, the court heard that Mugodhi and Dhaura continued to give unsatisfactory explanations, eventually confirming that the entire transaction had been fraudulent.
The total value of the goods allegedly defrauded is US$27 540, and nothing has been recovered.
Source - The Herald
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