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Zimbabwean caught in P80 000 scam in Botswana
15 hrs ago |
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A Zimbabwean national allegedly masqueraded as an official from the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) and defrauded a local woman of more than 80 000 pula in a phone scam.
According to media reports in Botswana last week, Walter Chizivisano (33) was arrested on January 17 in Molepolole after allegedly evading capture for about 20 months following the commission of the offence.
Chizivisano, who faces a theft charge, appeared before the Francistown Magistrates' Court last Thursday, where he indicated that he intended to engage a private attorney to represent him.
He is accused of scamming 67-year-old Baboloki Khakhe of P82 000 by posing as a BTC employee during a phone call. It is alleged that he tricked her into providing her banking details for her Standard Chartered account before withdrawing P82 441.70.
The matter was initially reported on June 7, 2024, but investigations reportedly progressed slowly. Further inquiries later led police to Chizivisano, and a warrant of arrest was issued on December 29 last year. He was subsequently apprehended on January 17.
During his court appearance, prosecutor Gasemotho Pitagano opposed bail, arguing that investigations were still at an early stage and that part of the stolen funds had not yet been recovered.
"Since he wants to engage an attorney, he should bring him on the next mention. The accused person is a foreigner with travelling documents; our problem with him being granted bail is that our investigations are at the initial stage," Pitagano told the court.
"Part of the proceeds of crime have not been recovered. We plead that he be remanded in custody for seven days while we wait for his attorney."
Reports indicate that some of the stolen money remains unaccounted for, with allegations that Chizivisano used part of the funds to purchase a Honda Fit vehicle.
His bail application was unsuccessful.
In his defence, Chizivisano denied the allegations, telling the court: "I am not the one who stole the money; my name was just used."
According to reports, Khakhe received a call from an unknown number from an individual claiming to be from BTC, informing her that she had won airtime bundles worth P500. Initially sceptical, she reportedly told the caller to keep the airtime. However, the caller allegedly persisted, prompting her to follow instructions relating to cellphone banking.
Shortly afterwards, she noticed a substantial withdrawal from her account and realised she had fallen victim to a scam.
According to media reports in Botswana last week, Walter Chizivisano (33) was arrested on January 17 in Molepolole after allegedly evading capture for about 20 months following the commission of the offence.
Chizivisano, who faces a theft charge, appeared before the Francistown Magistrates' Court last Thursday, where he indicated that he intended to engage a private attorney to represent him.
He is accused of scamming 67-year-old Baboloki Khakhe of P82 000 by posing as a BTC employee during a phone call. It is alleged that he tricked her into providing her banking details for her Standard Chartered account before withdrawing P82 441.70.
The matter was initially reported on June 7, 2024, but investigations reportedly progressed slowly. Further inquiries later led police to Chizivisano, and a warrant of arrest was issued on December 29 last year. He was subsequently apprehended on January 17.
During his court appearance, prosecutor Gasemotho Pitagano opposed bail, arguing that investigations were still at an early stage and that part of the stolen funds had not yet been recovered.
"Since he wants to engage an attorney, he should bring him on the next mention. The accused person is a foreigner with travelling documents; our problem with him being granted bail is that our investigations are at the initial stage," Pitagano told the court.
"Part of the proceeds of crime have not been recovered. We plead that he be remanded in custody for seven days while we wait for his attorney."
Reports indicate that some of the stolen money remains unaccounted for, with allegations that Chizivisano used part of the funds to purchase a Honda Fit vehicle.
His bail application was unsuccessful.
In his defence, Chizivisano denied the allegations, telling the court: "I am not the one who stole the money; my name was just used."
According to reports, Khakhe received a call from an unknown number from an individual claiming to be from BTC, informing her that she had won airtime bundles worth P500. Initially sceptical, she reportedly told the caller to keep the airtime. However, the caller allegedly persisted, prompting her to follow instructions relating to cellphone banking.
Shortly afterwards, she noticed a substantial withdrawal from her account and realised she had fallen victim to a scam.
Source - Southern Eye
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