Man loses US$100 000 to fake magicians

Michael Mashiri

A man, who duped his friend US$100 000 after introducing him to fake magicians, has been arraigned before the court.

James Munetsi, 57, of Mbare, appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts facing fraud allegations.

The State, through prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, alleges that in December 2023, Munetsi, who was with his two outstanding accomplices, only identified as James and Solomon both from Kenya came up with a way of defrauding the complainant, Nyasha Masoka.

On December 4, 2023, Munetsi who is Masoka’s long time friend, with his two accomplices, went to Masoka's workplace.

He introduced the two accomplices to Masoka as magicians who use magic to multiply money.

They conducted a test run, in which the accused demonstrated using a ten dollar note and they realised US$30 which they shared among themselves and used the money to buy refreshments.

Munetsi persuaded Masoka to source large sums of money giving him assurance that the deal would boost his business.

On December 7, 2023, Munetsi’s two accomplices came to Masoka’s house where he agreed to take part in the deal after getting assurance from Munetsi who encouraged him to proceed with the deal.

As a result, Masoka gave them US$100 000 on condition that they were going to make it US$300 000 which they were going to share.

Munetsi’s accomplices allegedly wrapped the money after mixing it with pieces of black paper and unknown substances.

During that process, Munetsi’s accomplices swapped the bundle of real money and replaced it with a similar one but containing pieces of paper without any money in it.

After waiting for 24 hours, Masoka checked the money and discovered that he had been defrauded.

That led him to make a police report. As a result, US$100 000 was defrauded and nothing was recovered.

Munetsi was ordered to appear in court on January 9, for bail application.