Logan Farm Man in Court for Scamming Car Buyer

 

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

A 27-year-old Logan Farm man has appeared in court facing charges of theft of trust property after allegedly duping a prospective car buyer of US$6,700 in a fraudulent import deal.

Tafadzwa Shoko appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Courts charged with theft of trust property. His accomplice, Fadzai Deserve Dera, is already on remand over the same case.

The complainant is Samuel Chimbarara, who sought to purchase a Honda Fit GE6 from Japan in July 2023.

According to the State, Chimbarara approached Shoko and Dera, who explained the import process and convinced him to proceed with the transaction. He identified a Honda Fit GE6 valued at US$6,700.

Chimbarara first handed US$2,500 to Shoko as a deposit. On August 12, 2024, Shoko sent him a pro-forma invoice (No. 23G15A429) as proof of purchase.

Later, on September 9, 2023, the complainant met the pair again and paid an additional US$4,200 to cover duty, fuel, and agent fees. Shoko promised to deliver the vehicle within three days.

However, follow-up attempts proved futile as Shoko and Dera stopped answering calls, prompting Chimbarara to report the matter to the police.

Investigations revealed that while the vehicle had indeed been imported and registered in Chimbarara’s name (registration number AGN 7727), Shoko and Dera sold it to a third party, Tinashe Chihoro, for US$7,500 and pocketed the proceeds.

The car was later recovered from Chihoro, who was found to have a sale agreement signed by Dera.

The total prejudice to the complainant is US$6,700.