Fraudster cons US$98 000 from woman who lost US$15...

Fraudster cons US$98 000 from woman who lost US$150 000 to Bevern Capital Ponzi scam

Michael Mashiri

A Ruwa man, who is being accused of stealing US$98 000 from a woman who lost US$150 000 to a ponzi scheme has been ordered to appear in court today for bail application.

Shepherd Chibaya (36) of Cranbrook in Ruwa appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court accused of fraud as defined in Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform ) Act Chapter 9:23 as well as impersonating a police officer.

The court was informed that sometime in February 2019, the complainant Mary Chiweshe (54) of Bluffhill, Harare invested her money in the Bevern Capital investment scheme.

During the same month, she injected US$150 000 into the scheme and was supposed to earn 50 percent interest after six weeks. After joining the scheme, she was made a member of a Whatsapp group which comprised other members of the scheme. Chibaya was also a member of the Whatsapp group.

Chiweshe's money accumulated to US$300 000 and when she wanted to withdraw it, she found Bevern Capital Investments offices allegedly closed due to Covid-19 restrictions. She got in touch with the owners of the scheme in a bid to get her money but nothing materialised until they became evasive.

The complainant then sought for help to recover her money in their Whatsapp group and Chibaya told Chiweshe that he could get her money back, claiming that he was close to Bevern Dzinoenda, the owner of the scheme.

Some days later Chibaya then told Chiweshe that all the scheme's money was being held at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority offices over unpaid taxes and US$58 000 was needed for Zimra to release the funds. Chiweshe gave him that amount.

Several days later Chibaya told Chiweshe that Zimra had released the money, but added that he had been intercepted by police detectives who seized US$200 000 and needed to bribe them with US$13 000 to release it.

Chiweshe paid the US$13 000.

Chibaya then told Chiweshe that he had been arrested and needed US$1800 to bribe a police officer for his release.

Chiweshe agreed to pay and was instructed to give the money to a taxi driver, one Innocent Kavhura.

The following day, Chibaya then told Chiweshe that he was at the Harare Magistrates’ Court and needed US$3800 to top up his legal fees.

Chiweshe went to the court and gave him US$3200 and her Samsung S20 mobile handset to cover the US$600 difference.

Chibaya then texted Chiweshe in the guise of a police officer, Inspector Kufakunesu Mushayi. He said that Chibaya had suffered brain shock whilst in police cells and had been admitted under police guard at Parirenyatwa Hospital with no visitors permitted.

After three weeks, still in the police officer guise, Chibaya texted Chiweshe and declared himself dead.

The fake Inspector Kufakunesu Mushayi said he would get Chiweshe’s money back from Bevern Capital at a fee of US$27 000.

Chiweshe gave the alleged police officer the money in batches through the same taxi driver Innocent Kavhura who had delivered money to Chibaya while he was allegedly in police custody.

Chibaya acting as Inspector Mushayi kept on demanding more cash from Chiweshe until she finally realised that she was being swindled, Chiweshe then made a police report and Chibaya was arrested.No money was recovered.

The total amount of money the complainant lost amounted to US$98 000 in addition to the US$150 000 she invested in the Bevern Capital

Magistrate Dennis Mangosi ordered Chibaya to appear in court this Thursday, November 24, for bail application.