Man defrauds ZWL$11m in forex deal

Michael Mashiri

A man who defrauded more than RTGS$11 million, claiming that he would change the money into United States dollars and sent a fake Western Union Money transfer proof has been arraigned before the court.

Edward Muranganwa of Goromonzi, appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Courts facing allegations of fraud.

The State alleges that on April 7, 2023, at around 1700 hours, the complainant received a Whatsapp message from Muranganwa stating that he had been referred by one Hilda Masango to him and was looking for RTGS in exchange of United States dollars.

Muranganwa highlighted that he needed RTGS in exchange for United States dollars.

He gave several accounts, including Steward Bank and Ecocash account numbers which the complainant was to send RTGS and in turn was to receive United States dollars through Western Union.

The complainant transferred a total of RTGS$11 679 350 into the given accounts.

After having receiving the money, Muranganwa then sent a fake Western Union Money transfer to the complainant.

This was later discovered after the complainant’s attempt to withdraw the United States dollars from Western Union and was told that the messages were fake.

As a result, the complainant suffered a prejudice of RTGS$11 679 35 and nothing was recovered.

He was remanded out of custody.