Man uses fake car registration book, ID to borrow ...

Man uses fake car registration book, ID to borrow money

Michael Mashiri

A man, who pretended to be owner of a Toyota Hilux vehicle which he intended to use as collateral in borrowing money, has appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Courts.

Evans Chitiyo, 43, of Livingston Avenue, appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi charged with fraud.

The complainant in this matter is a registered money lending company represented by Adiel Chikwekwete, the loss control officer.

The State, through prosecutor Grace Mugocheke, alleges that on October 27, 2022, Chitiyo connived with Francis Nyabanga, who is still at large, to defraud the complainant.

The duo acquired a duplicate vehicle registration book for a Toyota Hilux AFL 0785 and a copy of a national identity card in the name of Tarisai Mutsatsa.

Chitiyo and Nyabanga made a loan application of US$3 000 from the complainant.

Chitiyo masqueraded to be Mutsatsa and signed as a guarantor for the loan application, pledging the Toyota Hilux as collateral security and tendered a vehicle registration book and copy of national identification card bearing Tarisai Mutsatsa’s particulars.

As a result, the complainant disbursed a loan of US$3 000 which was to be repaid in three equal monthly installments of US$1 450.

Chitiyo and Nyabanga paid US$1 880 and defaulted on payment of the balance within the prescribed period and became evasive and unavailable.

The complainant made efforts to recover the Hilux that was given out as collateral but discovered that they had impersonated Mutsatsa, the owner of the car.

As a result, the complainant lost US$2 888.41 and nothing was recovered.

Chitiyo was ordered to pay US$100 as bail. He will appear in court on September 6, for his routine remand.

He will be reporting at CID CCD once per week on Fridays until the matter is finalised.