MP loses US$100,000 in alleged investment scam

Masvingo South legislator and Vision Academy director Tanatsiwa Mukomberi has urged entrepreneurs and members of the public to exercise caution when approached with lucrative investment opportunities after allegedly losing US$100,000 in an elaborate currency scam.

Mukomberi said the suspect, identified as Ghanaian national Jonathan Gwed, carefully researched his business interests before approaching him with what appeared to be a genuine investment proposal.

According to Mukomberi, the suspect demonstrated detailed knowledge of his projects, including plans to expand Vision Academy into a boarding school at the Renco Mine turn-off in Masvingo and the registration of a microfinance company.

"He came talking about the exact areas I am specializing in and claimed he wanted to invest in Zimbabwe," Mukomberi said.

The legislator alleged that Gwed presented himself as an investor seeking to inject substantial capital into local businesses and proposed partnerships with Zimbabwean entrepreneurs.

"He claimed he wanted to invest US$5 million in my projects," Mukomberi said.

"To be honest, you almost believe it's real. He uses different approaches and angles in his scamming."

Mukomberi said he eventually lost US$100,000 through the alleged scheme before the suspect's activities were later exposed.

The alleged fraud reportedly came to light after Gwed attempted to target another victim, a local farmer, who became suspicious when the suspect repeatedly changed the amount of money he was demanding.

The farmer subsequently reported the matter to the police, leading to investigations and the suspect's arrest.

Mukomberi said he had already reported his case to the Commercial Crime Division in Harare and was later called upon to identify the suspect following his arrest.

"When I was called to identify him after his arrest, I confirmed that he was the same individual who had approached me months earlier," he said.

He said the experience had prompted him to warn others about increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes targeting businesspeople and investors.

"The important lesson here is to help others so they don't fall victim to such scammers," Mukomberi said.

Gwed appeared before a Harare court last Thursday for a bail application following his arrest in Kuwadzana.

According to police, investigators recovered 5,051 counterfeit US$100 notes during the operation.

Police also seized black trunks, a machine allegedly used in the production of counterfeit currency, cut bond paper, bottles of baby powder, syringes and iodine finisher fluid.

Investigators allege that the fraud scheme dates back to November last year when Gwed first contacted Mukomberi under the guise of investing in Vision Academy's planned expansion project.

Police say investigations are continuing to determine whether the suspect may have targeted other victims in Zimbabwe using similar methods.

Authorities have urged members of the public to conduct thorough due diligence before entering into investment agreements and to report suspicious financial dealings to law enforcement agencies.