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Mutendi in US$83 000 fake stands scam
2 hrs ago |
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POLICE have launched a manhunt for a 40-year-old Bulawayo man accused of defrauding six home seekers of more than US$83 000 and R143 000 in a residential stands scam.
Elias Mutendi of Sizinda suburb allegedly posed as an agent selling residential stands on behalf of genuine property owners before selling the properties without the owners' knowledge.
According to police, the alleged offences were committed between January 2017 and December 2024.
"The accused person misrepresented to six complainants and defrauded them a total value of US$83,750 and R143,000 through sales of residential stands belonging to other people without their knowledge," Bulawayo police said in an appeal issued on Tuesday.
Mutendi had previously been arrested in a separate fraud case after police received a tip-off that led to his arrest at Unity Village in the city centre.
In that case, he was accused of defrauding seven victims of more than US$47 000 and R143 000 between 2013 and 2022 by allegedly using forged documents to sell non-existent properties.
Police said the money was not recovered.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube urged home seekers to verify property ownership and the authenticity of residential stands before making any payments.
"Members of the public should not trust anyone who claims to be doing business without first verifying if they are legit," Ncube said.
"Members of the public should also verify with the local city council for the authenticity of the stands and houses."
Police appealed to anyone with information that could lead to Mutendi's arrest to report at their nearest police station.
Information can also be provided to the CID Commercial Crimes Division in Bulawayo on 0292-2278446 or Detective Assistant Inspector Dube on +263 712 387 278.
Elias Mutendi of Sizinda suburb allegedly posed as an agent selling residential stands on behalf of genuine property owners before selling the properties without the owners' knowledge.
According to police, the alleged offences were committed between January 2017 and December 2024.
"The accused person misrepresented to six complainants and defrauded them a total value of US$83,750 and R143,000 through sales of residential stands belonging to other people without their knowledge," Bulawayo police said in an appeal issued on Tuesday.
Mutendi had previously been arrested in a separate fraud case after police received a tip-off that led to his arrest at Unity Village in the city centre.
In that case, he was accused of defrauding seven victims of more than US$47 000 and R143 000 between 2013 and 2022 by allegedly using forged documents to sell non-existent properties.
Police said the money was not recovered.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube urged home seekers to verify property ownership and the authenticity of residential stands before making any payments.
"Members of the public should not trust anyone who claims to be doing business without first verifying if they are legit," Ncube said.
"Members of the public should also verify with the local city council for the authenticity of the stands and houses."
Police appealed to anyone with information that could lead to Mutendi's arrest to report at their nearest police station.
Information can also be provided to the CID Commercial Crimes Division in Bulawayo on 0292-2278446 or Detective Assistant Inspector Dube on +263 712 387 278.
Source - zimlive
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