US$3 000 buys man a WhatsApp image of car

Michael Mashiri

Zim Now Correspondent

A woman from New Mabvuku has appeared in court for taking US$3 000 from a man then sending him the image of a car on WhatsApp instead of delivering the vehicle she had told him she could procure from her employer.

Maggie Mondiwa, 56, appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with fraud.

She will appear in court on July 2.

The State alleges that sometime in January Mondiwa approached the complainant saying she could assist him to buy a pre-owned car, a Toyota Sienta from Min Travel and Tours where she is employed.

On February 10, the complainant gave Mondiwa US$1 500 and a copy of his national identity card.

It is alleged that on February 14, a balance of US$1 500 was given to Mondiwa’s secretary.

Mondiwa had promised to deliver the car in seven days.

After the lapse of the seven days, the complainant called Mondiwa making follow-ups but he kept on giving excuses.

On April 20, Mondiwa sent to the complainant on Whatsapp platform, a new Toyota Sienta that she said the company is now offering him since the deal had taken long without being finalised.

It is alleged that Mondiwa then requested complainant’s wife’s particulars to register the car and then she confirmed on Whatsapp that she had since registered the car under his wife’s name since he was away on duty.

The complainant made follow-ups on the car but Mondiwa could not produce anything, he became suspicious that Mondiwa was a fraudster, prompting the complainant to file a report.

As a result, the complainant lost US$3 000.