Identity Theft Sparks US$30k Bank Fraud

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

A 30-year-old man has been charged with fraud after allegedly using a fake national identity card to access a victim’s NMB Bank account and steal US$30 600.

Christopher Chimedza of Kuwadzana 2 appeared at the Harare Magistrate’s Court charged with fraud.

He is scheduled to appear in court on September 3, 2025.

The complainant in the case is Faina Moyo.

The State alleges that in March, Chimedza and his accomplices Patricia Mugwini and Shangwa Huggin Chimedza—who are already out on bail for the same offence—conspired to acquire a duplicate national identity card bearing the complainant’s particulars.

It is alleged that Chimedza and his accomplices then approached Econet Zimbabwe, used the fake identity card to replace the complainant’s Buddie SIM card, and subsequently downloaded the NMB Connect mobile money application.

Using the acquired SIM card number, which was linked to the complainant’s NMB Bank account, they obtained a One-Time Password that allowed them to log into the complainant’s account.

Chimedza and his accomplices reportedly withdrew US$30,600 from the complainant’s account using the NMB Virtual Withdrawal application.

On July 29, Chimedza’s accomplices were arrested and implicated him.

Chimedza was arrested on August 5.

The total amount lost in this fraud is US$36 600, and no funds have been recovered.