Two in court over US$3k fraud involving UK certifi...

Two in court over US$3k fraud involving UK certificate of sponsorship

Michael Mashiri

Two women who defrauded the complainant US$3 000, claiming that they would help her in getting a certificate of sponsorship for her to go to the United Kingdom were arraigned before the Harare Magistrates’ Courts.

Angelina Chihute, 27, of Sunway City and Nicole Mkhosana, 24, of Mbizo, Kwekwe, were being charged with fraud.

The complainant in the matter is Christina Kamalo, 43, of Aspindale Park.

The State alleges that in May 2023, Kamalo approached Chihute so that she could be assisted in getting a certificate of sponsorship, COS, to go to the United Kingdom.

Chihute confirmed that she had a link and could easily facilitate the acquisition of the COS.

Chihute even showed Kamalo photos of COS as a way of convincing and luring her.

Later, Chihute gave the contact of Mkhosana and the two started talking to each other over the phone until they met.

Mkhosana confirmed to Kamalo that indeed she could facilitate the issuance of the COS.

Mkhosana then gave Kamalo the contact number of another accused, who is still at large, who also claimed to be able to facilitate the COS and continued to buttress to Kamalo that he was going to process everything for her.

Mkhosana was given money US$3 000 by Kamalo as payment for the COS and promised to give her the COS within two weeks.

During the waiting period, the accused persons continued to promise Kamalo that all was in order.

After the two weeks lapsed, Kamalo made a follow-up on the COS but to no avail. The accused persons continued to give Kamalo false promises until she realised she had been duped.

This led to Kamalo losing her US$3 000.

The two were denied bail with the State highlighting that there were outstanding reports from the cyber laboratory.