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Zimbabwe police dismantle EcoCash scam syndicate, 11 arrested
1 hr ago |
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The Zimbabwe Republic Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has successfully dismantled a well-connected EcoCash scamming syndicate, arresting eleven suspects in Chitungwiza and Seke. The arrests follow months of investigations into a series of thefts carried out through the mobile payment platform, EcoCash.
Police reports indicate that the syndicate operated from 2025 to date, targeting unsuspecting victims through fraudulent links posing as Econet Zimbabwe portals offering free data. Victims who clicked on the links were then asked to provide their one-time passwords (OTPs), which the suspects used to access EcoCash accounts and siphon funds into various accounts controlled by the gang.
On February 4, 2026, detectives tracked and arrested two suspects, Mpho Ruzwidzo and Ishmael Muzanenhamo, near their residences. During interviews, the two admitted to being part of a 10-member syndicate. Searches conducted at their homes resulted in the recovery of five mobile phones, several SIM cards, and US$600 in cash, as well as household items purchased with stolen funds, including beds, sofas, a fridge, a wardrobe, a stove, plates, and blankets. Ruzwidzo revealed that part of the stolen money had been used to acquire a Toyota Spade for ride-hailing services and a Nissan Note, and that some funds had been invested in cryptocurrency.
Further follow-up operations on February 5, 2026, led to the arrest of the remaining suspects at their homes. Police recovered numerous devices, SIM cards, tablets, and cash from the individuals. Among the items recovered were multiple Buddie lines, smartphones including the latest iPhone models and Samsung devices, tablets, and cash totaling thousands of US dollars. The total estimated value of all recovered property is US$22,000.
Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing and urged the public to remain vigilant against scams and fraud schemes conducted via mobile platforms. This operation underscores the Zimbabwe Republic Police's commitment to tackling cyber-enabled financial crimes and safeguarding citizens against increasingly sophisticated digital fraud.
Police reports indicate that the syndicate operated from 2025 to date, targeting unsuspecting victims through fraudulent links posing as Econet Zimbabwe portals offering free data. Victims who clicked on the links were then asked to provide their one-time passwords (OTPs), which the suspects used to access EcoCash accounts and siphon funds into various accounts controlled by the gang.
On February 4, 2026, detectives tracked and arrested two suspects, Mpho Ruzwidzo and Ishmael Muzanenhamo, near their residences. During interviews, the two admitted to being part of a 10-member syndicate. Searches conducted at their homes resulted in the recovery of five mobile phones, several SIM cards, and US$600 in cash, as well as household items purchased with stolen funds, including beds, sofas, a fridge, a wardrobe, a stove, plates, and blankets. Ruzwidzo revealed that part of the stolen money had been used to acquire a Toyota Spade for ride-hailing services and a Nissan Note, and that some funds had been invested in cryptocurrency.
Further follow-up operations on February 5, 2026, led to the arrest of the remaining suspects at their homes. Police recovered numerous devices, SIM cards, tablets, and cash from the individuals. Among the items recovered were multiple Buddie lines, smartphones including the latest iPhone models and Samsung devices, tablets, and cash totaling thousands of US dollars. The total estimated value of all recovered property is US$22,000.
Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing and urged the public to remain vigilant against scams and fraud schemes conducted via mobile platforms. This operation underscores the Zimbabwe Republic Police's commitment to tackling cyber-enabled financial crimes and safeguarding citizens against increasingly sophisticated digital fraud.
Source - NewsDay
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