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Bogus cop dupes security boss over fake firearms certificate
3 hrs ago |
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A 51-year-old Harare man has appeared in court facing fraud charges after allegedly masquerading as a Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) superintendent and duping a security company into paying for fake firearm certificates.
Luka Fungurani appeared before Harare Magistrate Ruth Moyo, where he was charged with fraud.
The State alleges that Fungurani falsely represented himself as a senior police officer with the authority to facilitate the registration and renewal of firearm certificates.
According to prosecutors, the alleged scheme dates back to 2021 when Fungurani befriended Talent Mbvuri, who was then employed as an administration officer at Jerusalem Security Solutions (Pvt) Ltd.
It is alleged that during their interactions, Fungurani claimed to be a ZRP superintendent capable of assisting with firearm-related administrative processes.
The court heard that Mbvuri subsequently introduced Fungurani to the company's director, Dhumisani Melsketcher Karakadzai, who required the renewal of certificates for six company-owned firearms.
Prosecutors allege that Fungurani demanded US$930 to facilitate the registration process and later supplied what he claimed were valid firearm certificates after receiving payment.
The alleged fraud is said to have continued in February this year when Fungurani again approached Karakadzai, maintaining that he was a police superintendent who could renew the certificates for the same six firearms.
Believing the representations to be genuine, Karakadzai allegedly paid Fungurani a further US$1,080 to process the renewals.
However, investigations later revealed that Fungurani was not a serving police officer and had no authority to issue or renew firearm certificates. The documents he allegedly provided were found to be fraudulent.
The complainant is said to have suffered a total financial prejudice of US$2,010, with no money having been recovered.
The prosecution told the court it intends to rely on witness testimony as well as the allegedly fake firearm certificates recovered during investigations.
The matter was prosecuted by Chipo Muvhamba and is expected to return to court for further proceedings.
Fungurani has not yet been required to enter a plea, and the allegations against him remain subject to determination by the court.
Luka Fungurani appeared before Harare Magistrate Ruth Moyo, where he was charged with fraud.
The State alleges that Fungurani falsely represented himself as a senior police officer with the authority to facilitate the registration and renewal of firearm certificates.
According to prosecutors, the alleged scheme dates back to 2021 when Fungurani befriended Talent Mbvuri, who was then employed as an administration officer at Jerusalem Security Solutions (Pvt) Ltd.
It is alleged that during their interactions, Fungurani claimed to be a ZRP superintendent capable of assisting with firearm-related administrative processes.
The court heard that Mbvuri subsequently introduced Fungurani to the company's director, Dhumisani Melsketcher Karakadzai, who required the renewal of certificates for six company-owned firearms.
Prosecutors allege that Fungurani demanded US$930 to facilitate the registration process and later supplied what he claimed were valid firearm certificates after receiving payment.
The alleged fraud is said to have continued in February this year when Fungurani again approached Karakadzai, maintaining that he was a police superintendent who could renew the certificates for the same six firearms.
Believing the representations to be genuine, Karakadzai allegedly paid Fungurani a further US$1,080 to process the renewals.
However, investigations later revealed that Fungurani was not a serving police officer and had no authority to issue or renew firearm certificates. The documents he allegedly provided were found to be fraudulent.
The complainant is said to have suffered a total financial prejudice of US$2,010, with no money having been recovered.
The prosecution told the court it intends to rely on witness testimony as well as the allegedly fake firearm certificates recovered during investigations.
The matter was prosecuted by Chipo Muvhamba and is expected to return to court for further proceedings.
Fungurani has not yet been required to enter a plea, and the allegations against him remain subject to determination by the court.
Source - HMetro
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