3 men arrested over US$12,500 grocery fraud scam

Three Mutare men have been arrested for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated fraud scheme that duped local businesses of groceries worth more than US$12,500.

The suspects, identified as Prince Ruvimbo Dhau (31) of Chikanga Phase 2, Pardon Dhau (35) of Chikanga Phase 2, and Dennis Chikotosa (39) of Fern Valley, Mutare, are accused of posing as legitimate bulk buyers before disappearing with consignments of goods without making payment.

According to police investigations, the first incident occurred on April 9, 2026, when the accused allegedly contacted Olivine Industries Development Manager Evans Tenha, pretending to be customers interested in purchasing groceries in bulk.

Believing the order to be genuine, Tenha instructed sales representative Gilbert Mushata (25) to deliver the goods to a shop at St Joseph Business Centre in Mutare. Mushata reportedly met the suspects at Beit Hall in Sakubva before being directed to a shop identified as Bumly Shop in Chikanga.

The accused allegedly claimed ownership of the premises and instructed Mushata to offload 150 boxes of 8x2-litre Olivine cooking oil, 150 boxes of 8x2-litre Pure Drop cooking oil and 50 cartons of Jade bathing soap.

After the goods had been unloaded, the suspects allegedly told Mushata that the remainder of the consignment was to be delivered to another shop in Dangamvura where payment would be made. One of the accused reportedly accompanied him before disembarking at Dangamvura Complex and disappearing.

When Mushata returned to Bumly Shop, he allegedly discovered that the groceries had already been removed and the suspects had vanished. Shop attendants later informed him that the goods had been loaded onto a white Scania rigid truck, registration number AHF 1356.

The matter was reported to ZRP Chikanga, with the value of the stolen goods estimated at US$8,560.

In a second incident on May 20, 2026, the same suspects allegedly targeted Metro Hyper Market in Mutare using a similar modus operandi.

Prosecutors allege that the trio contacted sales representative Stephen Chindudzi (31), pretending to be customers seeking groceries for resale in Odzi.

Chindudzi reportedly met the suspects near Zuva Filling Station at Christmas Pass before being instructed to load various grocery items into their vehicle. The consignment allegedly included 70 bags of 10kg brown sugar, 25 cases of Fizz drinks, 70 bags of 10kg Mega Roller Meal, 40 cases of 12x2-litre D'lite cooking oil, 20 boxes of Munches biscuits, six 5kg packs of Munches biscuits and five boxes of matches.

The accused allegedly directed Chindudzi to proceed to Odzi Business Centre, claiming payment would be made there. Upon arrival, one of the suspects reportedly left to collect money but never returned.

Realising he had been deceived, Chindudzi reported the matter to ZRP Mutare Central. The value of the groceries allegedly stolen in the second incident was estimated at US$4,023.

Police investigations intensified after officers recovered the white Scania truck used in the first incident in Mutare's central business district on April 22. Investigators established that the vehicle had been hired from Kumbulani Nxusa (47) of Chikanga Phase 2.

A breakthrough came on May 29 when Prince Ruvimbo Dhau and Pardon Dhau were arrested by detectives from ZRP Mutare Central in connection with another fraud case. During questioning, police say the pair confessed to the two grocery fraud cases and implicated Chikotosa.

Dennis Chikotosa was subsequently arrested in Mutare's central business district the following day.

Further investigations led detectives to Shop and Save at Sakubva Bus Terminus on May 31, where part of the stolen groceries was recovered. Police recovered 31 cases of 12x2-litre D'lite cooking oil, 40 bags of 10kg Huletts brown sugar and 60 bags of Mega Roller Meal.

The goods had allegedly been sold to a local buyer, Samuel Gondo (39) of Mazhambe, who reportedly produced a receipt during investigations.

Police also established that a significant portion of the groceries stolen from the first complainant had allegedly been transported to Waterfalls in Harare. Investigators say truck driver Kumbulani Nxusa confirmed delivering the goods using the hired Scania truck.

A silver Toyota Axio, registration number AEW 1327, allegedly used during the commission of the offences, was also identified during investigations. The complainants reportedly positively identified the vehicle.

Manicaland acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka urged businesses to strengthen verification procedures when dealing with customers placing large orders.

He advised companies to verify customer identities, confirm payment arrangements before releasing goods and remain vigilant against suspicious transactions.

The three suspects are expected to appear in court facing fraud-related charges as investigations continue.

The case highlights the growing sophistication of commercial fraud schemes targeting businesses and the significant financial losses such crimes can inflict on companies and the broader economy.