CID warns over online fraud scams

THE Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has warned members of the public to exercise extreme caution when conducting business through social media platforms and online advertisements following a surge in fraud cases involving bogus vehicle imports and fake property deals.

In a statement, CID national spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri said detectives from the CID Commercial Crimes Division had arrested several suspects linked to high-value fraud cases in Harare.

One of the suspects, Caution Madiro Chikonamombe (31), of Hatfield, Harare, was arrested in connection with three fraud cases involving the purported importation of motor vehicles.

According to police investigations, Chikonamombe allegedly posed as a vehicle importation agent capable of sourcing and importing vehicles on behalf of clients before allegedly defrauding them of large sums of money.

"In one of the cases which occurred in October 2025, the suspect received US$9,000 from a complainant who intended to import a Honda Grace. He falsely claimed that the vehicle had been shipped, but it was never delivered," said Det Insp Muteweri.

Police further allege that on January 29 this year, Chikonamombe received US$5,000 from another complainant as a deposit for an imported vehicle.

The complainant later reported the matter to police after the suspect allegedly failed to deliver the vehicle.

In a third case, Chikonamombe is accused of prejudicing another complainant of US$12,100 through a similar scheme.

The suspect has since been arrested and appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court.

In a separate case, detectives from the CID Commercial Crimes Division arrested Desmond Rutsito (42), of Madokero, Harare, and Leeroy Manyange (28), of Zengeza, Chitungwiza, for allegedly defrauding a complainant in a bogus commercial stands transaction.

The pair allegedly offered for sale non-existent commercial stands in Southerton, Aspindale and Glenroy Township in Harare, resulting in the complainant losing US$151,000.

Det Insp Muteweri urged members of the public to verify all transactions thoroughly before making any payments.

"The Zimbabwe Republic Police continues to urge the public to exercise due diligence before making any payments for goods and services. Any suspicious transactions should be reported immediately to the nearest police station," she said.

Police also warned the public against making advance payments to individuals advertising vehicles, land or other goods on social media without first verifying the sellers' identities, ownership documents and the authenticity of the transactions.