Man loses US$24 000 in residential stand scam

Michael Mashiri

A man, who defrauded US$24 000 after selling a non-existent stand using fake particulars, has been taken to court.

Collins Chitaka, 57, of Chikwanha Township, appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts accused of fraud.

The complainant in this matter is a 35-year-old man of Unit L, Chitungwiza employed at Silverstone Liner Buses as a host.

The State, through prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, alleges that sometime in February 2023, the complainant, who was looking for a residential stand to buy, approached one Lily who claimed to be an agent.

It is alleged that Lily then referred the complainant to Richard Doba, who also claimed to be an agent.

Doba then linked the complainant to Chitaka, claiming that he was selling a residential stand in Ruwa.

Doba, before connecting the complainant with Chitaka, took the complainant to the site where complainant viewed Stand number 5976 in Ruwa, which he said was on sale.

It is alleged that the complainant was satisfied and agreed to buy the stand for US$24 000.

He engaged his lawyers, Matsanhure and Associates, whom he instructed to receive documents, title deeds of the stand and national identity cards for due diligence.

Chitaka allegedly surrendered identity card with his face but with particulars of Albert Chairuka, the real owner of the stand, and the original title deed of the stand to the complainant’s lawyers.

Complainant was called to view the documents and was satisfied.

He later engaged his lawyers intending to pay for the stand and approached his lawyer’s offices where Chitaka with his purported lawyer, only known as Tawanda and a woman he claimed to be his wife, were in attendance.

The complainant paid US$24 000 to Chitaka through his purported lawyer.

The complainant was given the title deed, together with a forged identity card bearing his face with particulars of the real owner of the stand, Chairuka.

An agreement of sale was signed by both the complainant and Chitaka.

It is alleged that the complainant and his lawyers and Chitaka went to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority for interviews and the interviews were successfully done.

Later on, the complainant paid US$1 800 to his lawyers meant for change of ownership and administration fees.

He was then told to wait for a response from the Registrar of Deeds with regards to processing the change of ownership.

The complainant was later on told by his lawyers that the title deed was assumed to be fake and he went to the Registrar of Deeds with his lawyers where they were told that change of ownership could not be effected due to the fake title deed.

This made the complainant to report the matter to the police.

Investigations led to Chitaka’s arrest whose real particulars are yet to be ascertained.

As a result, the complainant lost US$24 000 and nothing was recovered.

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