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Witness statement vanishes in US$1,2m pyramid scheme trial
4 hrs ago |
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A key witness statement has reportedly gone missing from the court docket in the ongoing criminal trial involving E-Creator Electronic Commerce, an alleged pyramid scheme accused of defrauding Zimbabwean investors of more than US$1.2 million.
The development emerged just as witness Nyaradzo Prisca Tinacho, who is central to the State's case, was expected to testify. Tinacho had travelled from Bulawayo after being subpoenaed, but prosecutors later instructed her to return home without taking the stand.
Court proceedings on Thursday also heard an application seeking to block her from giving evidence, with a ruling expected tomorrow. The disappearance of her written statement from the official court file has since raised concerns about the integrity of the proceedings.
Tinacho is alleged to have acted as an intermediary in the scheme, receiving funds from victims and transferring them to the alleged mastermind, Chinese national Zhao Jiatong.
The accused in the matter include Zhao, Trymore Tapfumanei, Abraham Mutambu, Justin Muchekenye and William Link Chui.
According to the State, between April and July 2023, victims were recruited into E-Creator through online advertisements promising guaranteed returns on investments. Investors reportedly deposited amounts ranging from US$85 to US$1,600, with early small payouts creating an impression of legitimacy while larger balances remained locked in accounts.
The scheme allegedly collapsed in July 2023 when investors were suddenly unable to access their funds. They were initially told the platform was undergoing a system upgrade before being informed it had ceased operations entirely.
When clients later visited the company's offices at Joina City, they found them closed.
Investigators believe Zhao may have withdrawn the funds and left the country for China. The alleged losses, totalling about US$1.2 million, have not been recovered.
The missing witness statement has added a new layer of uncertainty to an already complex fraud case involving dozens of complainants, with the court now set to rule on whether Tinacho will be allowed to testify.
The development emerged just as witness Nyaradzo Prisca Tinacho, who is central to the State's case, was expected to testify. Tinacho had travelled from Bulawayo after being subpoenaed, but prosecutors later instructed her to return home without taking the stand.
Court proceedings on Thursday also heard an application seeking to block her from giving evidence, with a ruling expected tomorrow. The disappearance of her written statement from the official court file has since raised concerns about the integrity of the proceedings.
Tinacho is alleged to have acted as an intermediary in the scheme, receiving funds from victims and transferring them to the alleged mastermind, Chinese national Zhao Jiatong.
The accused in the matter include Zhao, Trymore Tapfumanei, Abraham Mutambu, Justin Muchekenye and William Link Chui.
According to the State, between April and July 2023, victims were recruited into E-Creator through online advertisements promising guaranteed returns on investments. Investors reportedly deposited amounts ranging from US$85 to US$1,600, with early small payouts creating an impression of legitimacy while larger balances remained locked in accounts.
The scheme allegedly collapsed in July 2023 when investors were suddenly unable to access their funds. They were initially told the platform was undergoing a system upgrade before being informed it had ceased operations entirely.
When clients later visited the company's offices at Joina City, they found them closed.
Investigators believe Zhao may have withdrawn the funds and left the country for China. The alleged losses, totalling about US$1.2 million, have not been recovered.
The missing witness statement has added a new layer of uncertainty to an already complex fraud case involving dozens of complainants, with the court now set to rule on whether Tinacho will be allowed to testify.
Source - newsday
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