News / National
How a 'ghost employee' scam siphoned over US$186,000
23 Mar 2026 at 22:20hrs |
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A United Refineries Limited employee, Shingai Takunda Mabena (45), has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of orchestrating a sophisticated fraud scheme involving fake payslips and ghost employees to secure loans worth more than US$186,000.
Mabena appeared before regional magistrate Shingi Mutero, who handed down the sentence with a portion suspended on condition of good behaviour and full restitution. As a result, Mabena will effectively serve three years in prison, while also being ordered to repay substantial amounts to the affected financial institutions.
The court heard that between May and December 2024, Mabena created fictitious employee records and forged documents, including payslips and employment letters, which were then used to fraudulently obtain loans from micro-finance institutions. Prosecutor Owen Mugari told the court that the accused received over US$81,000 from one institution and more than US$104,000 from another, which he diverted for personal use.
The scheme came to light after internal alerts within United Refineries triggered an investigation, revealing that the so-called employees did not exist. A company representative, Ms Musona, said the company suffered both financial and reputational damage as a result of the fraud.
The prosecution argued that the offence was premeditated and abused Mabena's position of trust within the company, while also noting that nothing had been recovered from the illicit gains.
In mitigation, the court took into account that Mabena was a first-time offender, showed remorse, and had begun making restitution. However, the scale and calculated nature of the fraud led the court to impose a custodial sentence.
The case highlights growing concerns around internal fraud risks, particularly where employees exploit access to company systems and documentation to commit financial crimes, and underscores the importance of internal controls and verification systems in preventing such schemes.
Mabena appeared before regional magistrate Shingi Mutero, who handed down the sentence with a portion suspended on condition of good behaviour and full restitution. As a result, Mabena will effectively serve three years in prison, while also being ordered to repay substantial amounts to the affected financial institutions.
The court heard that between May and December 2024, Mabena created fictitious employee records and forged documents, including payslips and employment letters, which were then used to fraudulently obtain loans from micro-finance institutions. Prosecutor Owen Mugari told the court that the accused received over US$81,000 from one institution and more than US$104,000 from another, which he diverted for personal use.
The scheme came to light after internal alerts within United Refineries triggered an investigation, revealing that the so-called employees did not exist. A company representative, Ms Musona, said the company suffered both financial and reputational damage as a result of the fraud.
The prosecution argued that the offence was premeditated and abused Mabena's position of trust within the company, while also noting that nothing had been recovered from the illicit gains.
In mitigation, the court took into account that Mabena was a first-time offender, showed remorse, and had begun making restitution. However, the scale and calculated nature of the fraud led the court to impose a custodial sentence.
The case highlights growing concerns around internal fraud risks, particularly where employees exploit access to company systems and documentation to commit financial crimes, and underscores the importance of internal controls and verification systems in preventing such schemes.
Source - Sunday News
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