Guramatunhu employee in court over US$566k Bitcoin theft

 Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

A 31-year-old digital expert appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Court facing money laundering charges after allegedly stealing US$566,392 in bitcoin tokens from his employer and splurging on luxury cars and properties.

Lloyd Chiyangwa, of Greencroft, Harare, was arraigned for allegedly laundering the funds stolen from his employer, prominent ophthalmologist Solomon Guramatunhu.

Chiyangwa had been hired to manage Guramatunhu’s virtual wallets between October 2021 and March 2023. During that time, he allegedly stole bitcoin tokens and converted them into cash.

According to the State, Chiyangwa then embarked on a lavish spending spree, purchasing three luxury vehicles — a Toyota Allex, a Mitsubishi ASX, and a Toyota RunX — and acquiring three immovable properties, which he allegedly registered under other people's names to conceal the illicit origin of the funds.

Prosecutors say these actions were calculated to disguise the proceeds of crime, and no recoveries have been made to date.